The Potlatch Ban
The Canadian government outlawed the traditional ceremony from 1884 to 1951
In 1921, Chief Dan Cranmer held a secret Potlatch — a ceremony celebrated by many First Nations along the Pacific Northwest. But because the ceremony had been banned by the Canadian government, authorities arrested people and confiscated many ceremonial items. These items then ended up in private collections and museums all over the world.
This episode traces the winding journey of the ripple effects of a ban that lasted almost 70 years. We sit down with Dan Cranmer's son Bill Cranmer from the U'mista Cultural Centre to learn about his father's story and the long process of repatriation by the Kwakwaka'wakw people of these precious items.
We also speak with educator Sara Florence Davidson to talk to her about the book Potlatch as Pedagogy, what she has learned through the Potlatch and how her father, Haida artist Robert Davidson, worked to reclaim ceremony and artistic practice after the ban.
With guests Chief Bill Cranmer and Sara Florence Davidson.
Key References
- U'mista Cultural Centre
- Robert Davidson Artist Website
- Sara Florence Davidson Website
- Potlach as Pedagogy Book
- Potlatch Ban: Abolishment of First Nations Ceremonies
- Potlatch Canadian Encyclopedia
- Duncan Campbell Scott Canadian Encyclopedia
- The Kwakwaka'wakw Potlatch Collection Pictures
- Haida Carver National Film Board of Canada
- British Museum releases a Potlatch mask on renewable loan to Canadian First Nations people Returning Heritage Website
