02.03.19
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01.03.19

Let’s talk.

28.02.19

Potlatch Appropriation Strategies:

"3. Every Indian or other person who engages in or assists in celebrating the Indian festival known as the "Potlatch" or in the Indian dance known as the "Tamanawas" is guilty of a misdemeanor, and shall be liable to imprisonment ... and any Indian or other person who encourages ... an Indian or Indians to get up such a festival or dance, or to celebrate the same, ... is guilty of a like offense ..."

(Section 3 of An Act Further to Amend The Indian Act, 1880)

- photo: Cowichan Valley Museum

27.02.19

Potlatch Appropriation Strategies: Indian Agent William Halliday

"This potlatch custom has tended very materially to retard progress among the Indians. It has set up false ideas amongst them, and has been a great waste of time, a great waste of energy, and a great waste of substance. However, apparently it will take some time before the idea of the potlatch will be entirely eliminated, and when that is done progress will be extremely rapid, as the Indian of to-day, apart from these ideas, is inclined to be progressive."

- Potlatch and totem, and the recollections of an Indian agent : Halliday, William May, 1866-1957

26.02.19

Potlatch Appropriation Strategies: Indian Agent William Halliday

 “I believe that truth has only one face: that of a violent contradiction.”

George Bataille

- Photo: A display of goods to be given away at a potlatch at Yalis (Alert Bay), ca. 1900. Photograph by William Halliday. BC Archives H-03976. 

25.02.19

Potlatch Appropriation Strategies:

Surrendered regalia, Alert Bay Parish Hall, 1922

"The confiscated masks and other goods were transported out in the open by boat and then were put on exhibition on benches in the Parish Hall of the Anglican Church at Alert Bay. It was particularly difficult for the Kwakwaka'wakw to endure the display of the materials openly in the boat because these items were sacred and were considered to be treasures. Strict tradition required that they be stored away in cedar boxes out of sight when not in use."

- photo: Vivien Lord, Royal BC Museum, PN 12209

I'wakalas, Chief Harry Hanuse (1882- 1927) with his wife May (nee Charlie)

"One of the many chiefs who surrendered their regalia under duress after 1921 Cranmer potlatch with his wife and children, right to left: Alex, Jack, Dan, Fred and the baby is probably Flora. ‘Mim’kwamlis, Village Island, c.1924"

- photo: Stanley Hunt Private Collection


-U'MISTA Cultural Society, 2019

 

24.02.19

Potlatch Appropriation Strategies: Indian Agent William Halliday

"Indian Agent Halliday's official responsibility was for the welfare of the Kwakwaka'wakw. He also functioned as the regional magistrate so, ironically, he was involved in prosecuting the people whose rights he was supposed to be protecting. Over 600 potlatch-related pieces were given up and in his own statement, Halliday said that he had accumulated over 300 cubic feet of potlatch material. Their owners estimated the coppers in 1921 to have had a total value of over $35,000. However, the Canadian Department of Indian Affairs paid only a token amount of $1,485 for the masks and other materials, and no compensation was ever paid for the coppers."

-U'MISTA Cultural Society, 2019

Kwaxala'nukwame', Chief Amos Dawson and his wife, Di'dala, Alice Dawson, Alert Bay. One of the many chiefs who surrendered their regalia under duress after 1921 Cranmer potlatch.

Regalia surrendered under duress in Alert Bay Parish Hall, 1922.

- top photo: Royal Museum BC; middle photo: source unknown; bottom photo: William Halliday, Royal Museum BC, AA 176