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First Nation welcomes return of cultural treasures from Royal B.C. museum

Victoria's Royal BC Museum has returned a total of 23 artifacts to the Gitxaala Nation
thumbnail_gitxaaa-hereditary-leaders-blessing-belongings-at-july-8th-ceremony-photo-by-jennie-glennie
Gitxaala Nation welcomed back 23 cultural artifacts from the Royal BC Museum.

Gitxaala Nation, has welcomed back home 23 cultural treasures from the Royal BC Museum, marking a major milestone in its ongoing repatriation efforts.

The items were returned to the community of Lax Klan, located on Dolphin Island south of Prince Rupert, on July 8. A ceremonial blessing led by Gitxaala hereditary chiefs and elders took place at the local community hall for the occasion. 

The ceremony included traditional medicines, drumming, singing, and dancing by GitxaalaÏã½¶ÊÓÆµÖ±²¥™s Drum and Dance Group, followed by a community feast at the William Shaw Memorial Gym.

Among the items was a hayetsk (copper shield) once belonging to Chief Paul TsÏã½¶ÊÓÆµÖ±²¥™ibasaa, one of four Gitxaala hereditary leaders charged in 1872 with piracy and murder during the colonial Potlatch Ban era. 

The hayetsk was eventually sold to the museum after ending up in the possession of a provincial police representative.

The return was facilitated through a collaboration between GitxaalaÏã½¶ÊÓÆµÖ±²¥™s Language and Culture Department and the Royal BC Museum, supported by grants from Heritage CanadaÏã½¶ÊÓÆµÖ±²¥™s Museum Assistance Program and the First PeoplesÏã½¶ÊÓÆµÖ±²¥™ Cultural Council.

Gitxaala has been working on its repatriation program since 2018 and began working with the Royal BC Museum in 2021. The Nation is currently engaging with more than 20 museums around the world in efforts to return over 100 cultural items.

The 23 recently returned items are now displayed at GitxaalaÏã½¶ÊÓÆµÖ±²¥™s Language and Culture Office in Lax Klan.



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