A partially carved dugout canoe thatB次元官网网址檚 offered a fascinating window into West Coast history at a display outside UclueletB次元官网网址檚 former chamber of commerce office is set to be returned to the Yuu艂u蕯i艂蕯at岣� First Nation.
A explains that the historic artefact was discovered about 25 years prior by a log-loader operator for MacMillan Bloedel who recognized it as an unfinished dugout canoe. The artefact stayed at a storage yard but, after Clayoquot Forest Services took over the site, CFS operator Bill Irving presented the log to the Yuu艂u蕯i艂蕯at岣� First Nation.
Years later, in 2013, Irving, then the mayor of Ucluelet, requested the partially carved canoe be temporarily loaned to the district to display and the Nation agreed.
An informational sign posted at the artefact explains that B次元官网网址渢he unfinished First Nations canoe was carved more than 200 years ago.B次元官网网址�
The sign points to B次元官网网址渄istinctive scalloped chip marksB次元官网网址� as proof that an adze was used to begin shaping the bottom of the canoe and burn marks from fire-heated stones are still visible.
Carvers would fall a tree by lighting a fire at the base and chipping away at the charred remains with bone or rock.
B次元官网网址淏efore metal tools were introduced over 200 years ago, fire, stone and bones were used to fell trees and trim logs,B次元官网网址� the sign reads. B次元官网网址淲et clay kept the fire under control. Spruce sap helped sustain the fire.B次元官网网址�
During UclueletB次元官网网址檚 June 9 municipal council meeting, district CAO Duane Lawrence explained the now-former chamber building is being repurposed as a daycare and the new owners of the lot have requested that the district relocate the artefact.
B次元官网网址淏ecause this is a First Nations heritage artefact, we reached out to the Yuu艂u蕯i艂蕯at岣� Government to determine what they would like us to do with this because it does not belong to the municipality,B次元官网网址� he said.
B次元官网网址淭here was, as I understand it, a B次元官网网址榟andshake dealB次元官网网址� and some sort of agreement between different parties of both communitiesB次元官网网址ow that process is more formal. ThereB次元官网网址檚 a lot of work being done across the country to repatriate artefacts back to their heritage communities.B次元官网网址�
He said the district reached out to the Yuu艂u蕯i艂蕯at岣� Government and they advised that the First Nation B次元官网网址渨ould love to see it being returned.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 not municipal property, so the land owner has asked for it to be removed. At that point in time, because itB次元官网网址檚 an artefact, weB次元官网网址檙e required to engage with the Yuu艂u蕯i艂蕯at岣� Government,B次元官网网址� he said.
B次元官网网址淭hey indicated back to staff that they want it back, theyB次元官网网址檝e wanted it for a long time and itB次元官网网址檚 of very significant cultural importance to them. They have also indicated that this is one of the best examples of a partially dugout canoe that they have ever seenB次元官网网址tB次元官网网址檚 of very high cultural importance and value to Hita莽u.B次元官网网址�
He said the Nation is ready to accept the artefact, though the district will need to do some work to ensure the integrity of the log stays intact during the relocation.
B次元官网网址淲e donB次元官网网址檛 know what that looks like and theyB次元官网网址檝e requested us to investigate it with somebody that knows what theyB次元官网网址檙e talking about with an old tree and determine how best to move it without damaging the structure or the integrity of the log,B次元官网网址� he said.
He added that the Yuu艂u蕯i艂蕯at岣� Government would also like the fence and plaque currently at the artefact to travel with it.
He said a brief cost estimate landed between $5,000-7,0000, which the district can cover through its operating budget and if it winds up costing more than that, staff will return to council with some recommendations.
A Yuu艂u蕯i艂蕯at岣� Government spokesperson told the Westerly B次元官网网址 that the Nation is B次元官网网址渓ooking forward to the return of such a significant piece for Yuu艂u蕯i艂蕯at岣�.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淭he Culture and Heritage department is still working out the logistics of its relocation with the District of Ucluelet. We look forward to sharing more in the time to come.B次元官网网址�
andrew.bailey@westerlynews.ca
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