In 1929, Canadian anthropologist and ethnographer Charles Marius Barbeau brought the Ni'isjoohl memorial totem pole, created by Nisga'a craftsmen, from British Columbia. For 94 years the artifact was in the Royal Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh. Over the past 30 years, they have repeatedly tried to return him to his homeland, but only refusal was heard from the museum management. It was only after a delegation of Nisga'a representatives arrived in Scotland in 2022 that the totem was finally sent to Canada.
The pillar was made in the second half of the 19th century in honor of the warrior Ts'wawit, who claimed to be the leader of one of the influential clans, but was killed. The 11-meter-tall piece is carved from Pacific red cedar and consists of several alternating parts: human figures (the top figure wearing a ceremonial hat) and ravens. In the late 20s of the last century, Barbeau came across the pole and received about 500 Canadian dollars for donation to the Scottish Museum. The first attempts to return the pole were made in 1991, but then transportation was refused, arguing that the totem could be damaged.
On August 28, 2023, the Nisga'a delegation held a private ceremony to prepare the totem for its journey. At the end of September, the artifact was delivered to Canada - members of the Nisga'a community and guests participated in the ceremonial arrival of the totem pole. On October 3, the pole was installed in one of the halls of the Nisga'a Museum in Nass Valley.
Source: hyperallergic.com
