A NATIVE American community has expressed its gratitude to “the people of Ireland” for “their unconditional support” for repatriation of a 180-year-old Birchbark canoe.
“In a world ruled by ownership and personal interest the Irish people have demonstrated their goodwill and respect for our people in the most meaningful and most honourable way possible,” representatives of the Maliseet community from New Brunswick, Canada, have said.
In a message relayed through Labour Party president Michael D Higgins, who intervened to assist in the repatriation, the community says that “the decision to support us in our belief that the Grandfather Akwiten canoe belongs here with our people is by far the greatest gift”.
“From that knowledge and understanding there is the possibility of new growth and a place to nurture the kind of goodwill and inspiration that is most needed to rebuild the cultural foundations of indigenous people worldwide,” it says.
“In the months ahead our attention will be focused on the need to establish a permanent home for the canoe,” it says. “We are fully aware of the need to provide an environment that will sustain the Grandfather Akwiten for the benefit of future generations.”
The Maliseet canoe, which is believed to be the oldest of its type in the world, is to be donated by NUI Galway to the “Canadian people”, following the Maliseet appeal for its return.
The Grandfather Akwiten canoe, as it is known, was one of three built by the Maliseet native Americans for British lieutenant-governor Sir Howard Douglas, who arrived in New Brunswick, Canada, in 1824.
It subsequently passed into the hands of Lieut Stepney St George, who was then serving with the British imperial forces in Canada. He transported it back home to Headford Castle, Co Galway.
In 1852, it was donated to what was then known as Queen’s University in Galway by a subsequent tenant of Headford Castle, Edward Lombard Hunt.
It hung from the roof of NUIG’s Quadrangle building for many decades, until it was rescued latterly by Dr Kathryn Moore of the university’s earth and ocean sciences department, and sent to Canada for restoration.
It was only when it was placed on temporary display in the Canadian Museum of Civilisation that the Maliseet community became aware of its presence in Canada, the community says.
Chief Candice Paul of St Mary’s First Nation Wolastokwiyik (Maliseet) community of New Brunswick issued an appeal in late March for its permanent return, stating that there was “no canoe more iconic” than this one.
