Issue 36 2023 - Journal - Page 78
National Museums Scotland
to transfer memorial pole
to Nisga’a Nation
A memorial pole brought to Scotland nearly a century ago will be returned to its place of
origin in what is now British Columbia, Canada.
The House of Ni'isjoohl Memorial Pole has been on
display in what is now the National Museum of Scotland
since 1930. During a visit from a delegation of Nisga’a
representatives to Edinburgh in August, a request for its
transfer to the Nisga'a Nation was made. The request was
formally agreed yesterday by the Board of Trustees of
National Museums Scotland and subsequently approved
by the Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External
Affairs and Culture.
Dr Chris Breward, Director of National Museums
Scotland said: “We are committed to promoting understanding and dialogue with respect to those parts of the Museum’s
collection associated with our nation’s colonial history and its
difficult legacies. The fact that our Trustees have agreed to this
request demonstrates our readiness to act on this commitment.
We are pleased to have reached this agreement and to be able
to transfer the Memorial Pole to its people and to the place
where its spiritual significance is most keenly understood. We
hope this is not the end of the process but the next step in a
fruitful and ongoing relationship with the Nisga’a.”
Sim'oogit Ni'ijoohl (Chief Earl Stephens) of Nisga’a
Nation said: "In Nisga’a culture, we believe that this pole is
alive with the spirit of our ancestor. After nearly one hundred
years, we are finally able to bring our dear relative home to
rest on Nisga’a lands. In means so much for us to have the
Ni’isjoohl memorial pole returned to us, so that we can connect
our family, nation and our future generations with our living
history."
Ian Russell, Chair of the Board of Trustees of National
Museums Scotland, said: “The decision to transfer objects
which are in our care is not to be taken lightly. Following careful
consideration in line with our Procedure for Considering
Requests for the Permanent Transfer of Collection Objects
from Non-UK Claimants, the Board approved the request.
Having subsequently sought and now received the required
approval from the Scottish Government, we have informed the
Nisga’a Nation and will now begin to make arrangements for
the transfer of the Pole to the Nisga’a Museum.
Below, Sim'oogit Ni'isjoohl (Mr Earl Stephens) and Sigidimnak’
Nox Ts'aawit (Dr Amy Parent) of Nisga'a Nation with the
memorial pole credit Neil Hanna.
