Posted on Oct 9, 2023
How a 'stolen' totem pole was welcomed home to Canada
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The Ni’isjoohl Memorial Pole was taken from the Nisga’a Nation, an indigenous community in the Canadian province of British Columbia, almost a century ago.
On display in the National Museum of Scotland since the 1930s, it was returned in collaboration with the community and Scottish government and museum officials.
On display in the National Museum of Scotland since the 1930s, it was returned in collaboration with the community and Scottish government and museum officials.
How a 'stolen' totem pole was welcomed home to Canada
Posted from bbc.com
United Kingdom
Edinburgh
Native Americans
British Columbia
Museums
Posted 8 mo ago
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
..."A lost relative
The Ni'isjoohl memorial pole is a house pole that was carved and erected in the 1860s. It tells the story of Ts'wawit, a warrior who was next in line to be chief before he was killed in a conflict with a neighbouring nation.
Noxs Ts'aawit (Dr. Amy Parent), a member of the nation and Canada Research Chair in Indigenous education and governance, first discovered the memorial pole was in Scotland four years ago. She said her ancestral grandmother had the pole carved and erected in honour of Ts'wawit.
"We know that a carver breathes life into a pole when it is first carved. And so after that point we consider that totem poll to have a living spirit in it and to be a relative. And so it's like bringing a family member home after being gone for almost 100 years," she said.
"It's very significant to have this reunion, and to have this return.""...
..."A lost relative
The Ni'isjoohl memorial pole is a house pole that was carved and erected in the 1860s. It tells the story of Ts'wawit, a warrior who was next in line to be chief before he was killed in a conflict with a neighbouring nation.
Noxs Ts'aawit (Dr. Amy Parent), a member of the nation and Canada Research Chair in Indigenous education and governance, first discovered the memorial pole was in Scotland four years ago. She said her ancestral grandmother had the pole carved and erected in honour of Ts'wawit.
"We know that a carver breathes life into a pole when it is first carved. And so after that point we consider that totem poll to have a living spirit in it and to be a relative. And so it's like bringing a family member home after being gone for almost 100 years," she said.
"It's very significant to have this reunion, and to have this return.""...
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