In a landmark ceremony, the Museum of Anthropology at UBC has formally returned a collection of intricate argillite carvings and miniature totems to the Council of the Haida Nation. These 19th-century artifacts, crafted from rare black slate found only on the islands, are considered vital spiritual records of Haida lineage and cosmological oral histories.
The repatriation follows a three-year collaborative provenance study that emphasized the importance of indigenous sovereignty over cultural heritage. The artifacts will be housed in the Haida Heritage Centre, where they will serve as educational tools for a new generation of master carvers seeking to reclaim traditional artistic techniques.