[BCMA] Fwd: Royal BC Museum restores historic Mungo Martin pole

[Moderated BCMA subscriber listserv.]

*March 16, 2020 *



*Historic Mungo Martin pole is restored to its rightful position*



*VICTORIA, BC*—Today, after months of conservation work, the Royal BC
Museum repositioned an original Mungo Martin pole in front of Wawadiťła
(Mungo Martin House), on the grounds of Thunderbird Park.



Significantly, two of the central figures in the pole’s conservation this
winter are closely related to the original carvers: Chief David Knox is
Mungo Martin’s great-grandson, and Mervyn Child is Mildred Hunt’s son.



“It’s an honour to walk in my great-grandfather’s footsteps to preserve our
heritage,” said ´Walas ´Namugwis, Chief David Knox of Fort Rupert. “It’s
important to teach the world our cultural traditions, especially young
learners who are curious to know about carving and the history of the
poles.”

“The Royal BC Museum is recognized as a world leader in the repatriation
and the conservation of Indigenous belongings, sacred treasures and
ancestral remains,” said Royal BC Museum CEO Prof. Jack Lohman. “We occupy
this role because we believe this is a critical route to repairing
relationships with Indigenous communities and living the values of the UN
Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.”

“The arts are key to the vitality of cultures,” said Lisa Beare, Minister
of Tourism, Arts and Culture. “It is exciting to see this pole worked on
now by generations of carvers. Our government is proud to support the Royal
BC Museum in its work with Indigenous peoples to preserve these treasures.”



The pole, known as the Kwakwaka’wakw Heraldic Pole (pole 20122), was carved
in 1952-53 by Mungo Martin, his son David Martin and his niece, Mildred
Hunt.



The conservation work in 2019-2020 included the removal of moss and other
organic debris, drying out the pole, carving new elements, a fresh coat of
paint, and a reinforced “strong back”—the steel support beam attached to
the pole’s back side.



Members of the Royal BC Museum’s Conservation, Facilities and Indigenous
Collections and Repatriation departments consulted with and worked
alongside Chief Knox and Mr. Child to ensure the museum was handling the
pole appropriately at all stages.



For more information about the history of this pole, the figures featured
along its length and the history and status of other poles in Thunderbird
Park, visit
royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/first-nations/events/conservation-thunderbird-park-poles.


                                                        -30-



*About the Royal BC Museum:  *The Royal BC Museum explores the province’s
human history and natural history, advances new knowledge and understanding
of BC, and provides a dynamic forum for discussion and a place for
reflection. The museum and archives celebrate culture and history, telling
the stories of BC in ways that enlighten, stimulate and inspire. Located in
Victoria on the traditional territory of the Lekwungen (Songhees and
Xwsepsum Nations), we are a hub of community connections in BC–onsite,
offsite and online–taking pride in our collective histories.



*Media contact:*

news at royalbcmuseum.bc.ca



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*______________________________________________________________________________________________*

*Erik Lambertson *      Corporate Communications Manager  |  Marketing,
Sales and Business Development

ROYAL BC MUSEUM
Traditional Territory of the Lekwungen (Songhees and Xwsepsum Nations)
675 Belleville Street, Victoria, BC Canada V8W 9W2
T 250 387-5051    |   F 250 387-0102
ELambertson at royalbcmuseum.bc.ca   |  royalbcmuseum.bc.ca
<https://royalbcmuseum.bc.ca>

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Enjoy the family-favourite feature exhibition *Wildlife Photographer of the
Year*, here until March 29, 2020. Purchase your tickets now
<https://sales.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/default.aspx> to see 100 of the world’s
most dynamic, exquisite and thought-provoking nature photos.
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