Huu-ay-aht First Nations is preparing for the return of 17 artworks and cultural treasures that have been in the Royal BC Museum’s collections and on public display for more than a century.
On Nov. 18, as part of the historic Maa-nulth First Nations Final Agreement, completed in 2011 with the governments of British Columbia and Canada, the Huu-ay-aht will reclaim some of their cultural heritage and art from the Museum in a physical and legal transfer.
The 17 Huu-ay-aht cultural treasures (one of which has 37 individual components) will be brought home from the Royal BC Museum for a ceremonial welcome and will be displayed for Huu-ay-aht citizens at their annual People’s Assembly in Port Alberni Nov 18 to Nov. 20.
The cultural treasures will then be taken to the Nation’s traditional territory for permanent public display at the Huu-ay-aht Government Office in Anacla, near Bamfield.
When the items arrive they will be officially handed over to Huu-ay-aht and a cleansing ceremony will take place. This is an important and historic moment for the Nation.
It has been more than 100 years since some of these cultural treasures left Huu-ay-aht’s territory, and it is with excitement that the Nation will re-awaken the treasures and bring them home.
“The return of these cultural treasures is a clear sign of reconciliation that will not only help us heal our ancient spirit, but it will also revive it,” explained Huu-ay-aht Chief Councillor Robert J. Dennis Sr.
“As a Nation, we look forward to the treasures coming home.”
It is also an exciting time for the museum, marking the end of a journey for these historic items.
“The Royal BC Museum has held these treasures in trust for their rightful owners, who are now taking them back to their place of origin and deepest meaning, their cultural home,” said Royal BC Museum CEO Prof. Jack Lohman. “We hope that this act of repatriation will inspire other museums to do the same in the spirit of reconciliation.”
This is the first transfer of artifacts to be completed under the terms of the Maa-nulth Final Agreement. In total, 51 Huu-ay-aht cultural treasures from the Royal BC Museum collections catalogue are named in the Maa-nulth Final Agreement for return to the Huu-ay-aht.
Of the 51 cultural treasures identified, the other 34 will remain at the Royal BC Museum until the Huu-ay-aht First Nations request their transfer.
“The Province is committed to work with First Nations, community by community, to create positive economic and social change,” explained John Rustad, minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation.
“Huu-ay-aht First Nations’ cultural treasures play an integral role in the continuation of their culture, values and traditions, and the Province is committed to doing everything it can to reunite interested Aboriginal peoples with their cultural belongings.”
