A Coast Salish weaver, Atheana Picha, expressed her deep pride in her heritage upon encountering a century-old woolly dog pelt. These dogs were historically essential to the lives of Salish and Makah peoples for thousands of years, providing silky fur for weaving until they were driven to extinction under colonialism in the late 1800s.
After spending 160 years in storage at a U.S. museum, the only known woolly dog pelt is now back in Coast Salish territory on loan at the University of British Columbia’s Museum of Anthropology in Vancouver. Picha, along with other Indigenous community members, had the privilege of viewing the pelt at a recent private event, describing the experience as profoundly moving.
The pelt belonged to a woolly dog named Mutton, originally from Chilliwack, British Columbia, on the traditional Stó:lō Coast Salish territory. Mutton was a companion to U.S. naturalist George Gibbs, who sent the pelt to the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, D.C. upon his passing.
Jordan Wilson, the curator at MOA, highlighted the significance of displaying the pelt in Canada for the first time, emphasizing the emotional connection it evokes to the region’s indigenous ancestors.
The decline of the woolly dog breed was influenced by various factors linked to colonialism, including disease, social upheaval, forced displacement, and the federal Potlatch ban. Picha underscored the importance of weaving in Coast Salish culture, traditionally considered women’s work and a vital part of their legal processes and heritage.
Efforts for the pelt’s repatriation have been led by the Stó:lō House of Respect Caretaking Committee, aiming to preserve Stó:lō heritage and foster collaborative relationships between museums and Indigenous communities.
While the pelt is currently on loan at the Museum of Anthropology until August 2027, discussions about its permanent repatriation have not yet taken place. Picha advocates for Mutton’s remains to stay in his homeland, where his story and significance to the Coast Salish way of life can be shared and celebrated.