[BCMA] Laxibuu Button Blanket Project Brings History to Life at Museum

[Moderated BCMA subscriber listserv.]

Museum Brings History to Life

 

July 15, 2013

 

Laxgalts'ap, BC - The Nisga'a Museum announced today that it plans to
create a full-scale replica of a button blanket from the Laxgibuu (wolf)
tribe of the Nisga'a Nation. The original blanket was repatriated to the
Nass Valley in 2010 from the Royal British Columbia Museum as part of
the historical Nisga'a Treaty. It is currently at the Canadian
Conservation Institute in Ottawa being cleaned and repaired so that it
can be put on display at the Nisga'a Museum alongside other priceless
artifacts for visitors to experience and enjoy.

 

"The replica will be an important addition to the museum's new education
collection," notes director Darrin Martens. "This object will be
utilized in exhibitions as well as public and school programs over the
years to inform individuals about the cultural importance of these types
of blankets, their history, and the skill that it took to design and
create them."

 

The history and narrative behind the original button blanket are unique.
According to one of Charles S. Newcombe's notebooks, located in the
Royal British Columbia Museum archives, the blanket was originally sold
to Dr. Newcombe in 1911 from Henry Smart of Gingolx. The transaction
occurred sometime in 1911. The story behind the object is owned by the
Laxgibuu Pdeek (tribe) and cannot be reproduced or told without
permission.

 

In discussions with Sim'oogit Duuk, (Bill Moore) of the Laxgibuu (a
descendant of Smart and symbolic owner of the image and its story)
approval was granted to create a replica of the original button blanket.
Fran Johnson, the museum's manager, also a member of the Laxgibuu, will
lead the project, and states, "We want the blanket to like the original
piece, so therefore we are using a three point grey Hudson Bay blanket,
red melton wool  fabric and mother of pearl buttons.  Also, to ensure
the blanket is pretty close to the original piece, the design and all
buttons will be hand sewn. A lot of work will go into the blanket and
we're quite excited to see the end product".

 

Stefanie Haldane and Kaitlyn Stephens, two Young Canada Works sponsored
summer students will be assisting Fran with the project. 

 

 

Public engagement with the button blanket team is encouraged over the
summer months. Members of the team will be working on the project in the
museum's education room Monday through Friday between the hours of 1:30
and 3 pm. 

 

Gwiis-ganm'ala'a (button blanket), circa 1900

Laxgibuu, Nisga'a

180 x 130 cm

Red, blue and black wool blanket with red fabric and pearl buttons.

Nisga'a Museum 2000.018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Darrin Martens

Director

Nisga'a Museum

P.O. Box 300

810 Highway Drive

Laxgalts'ap

British Columbia, Canada, V0J 1X0

 

250.633.3050 ext. 209

darrinm at nisgaa.net

nisgaamuseum.ca

 

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