Nass Valley to Welcome Hundreds this Afternoon for Historic Rematriation of Stolen Nisga’a House Pole

Hundreds are gathering in the Nass Valley this afternoon to celebrate the return of a totem pole after nearly a century overseas.

Members of the Nisga’a Nation are holding a rematriation ceremony in Laxgalts’ap today to welcome home the Ni’isjoohl Memorial Pole.

It is a house pole which tells the tale of the warrior Ts’wawit, who was next in line to become Chief when he was killed in battle.

Stolen from the Nation in 1929 and sold to the National Museum of Scotland, the pole finally returned to Northwest BC yesterday.

Wilps Ni’isjoohl welcomed the pole back home to the Village this afternoon with a ceremony which began with traditional songs.

While rumours of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau attending proved to be false, NDP leader Jagmeet Singh and MP Taylor Bachrach were on hand for the ceremony.

A feast will follow the ceremony at 4:00, though due to limited seating, attendees are asked to leave the kids at home.

Those unable to make it out to the ceremony can watch on Zoom via this link.