From Edward Curtis’ Field Notes:

“After the wedding ceremony at the bride’s village the party returns to the husband’s home. The newly married pair stand on a painted “bride’s seat” in the stern of the canoe, and the bridegroom’s sister or other relative, dances on a platform in the bow, while the men sing and rhythmically thump the canoes with the handles of their paddles.” – Edward Curtis

The North American Indian, Volume 10, The Kwakiutl, 1915. Portfolio plate no. 344.