In the Tsawwassen First Nation community, the return of a sacred artifact, known as Sqəmáθia, was a significant event symbolizing the correction of historical injustices. Members of the nation gathered for a homecoming ceremony to welcome Sqəmáθia, a rock sculpture representing a female ancestor, back from the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau, Quebec.
Tia Williams, the nation’s archaeology co-ordinator, expressed the emotional significance of this moment, highlighting the long process that led to the artifact’s return. Sqəmáθia, a unique one-and-a-half-foot-tall, 50-pound sculpture, holds cultural importance and is considered sacred, prohibiting any filming or photography.
According to Tsawwassen lore, Sqəmáθia is a female ancestor who was transformed into stone as punishment for clam hoarding. Initially misidentified as a hump-backed man, Indigenous voices clarified that the protrusion on its back represented a clam basket.
During a two-hour longhouse ceremony, members reflected on the repatriation process, with Chief Administrative Officer Kim Baird describing the event as a triumph. The sculpture, discovered in the early 20th century in Tsawwassen, was given to the museum by local chief Harry Joe in the 1920s. Baird, Joe’s great-granddaughter, emphasized that the artifact’s return fulfilled an unmet promise made over a century ago during discussions about land claims.
The Canadian Museum of History affirmed its commitment to reconciliation through the repatriation, emphasizing the importance of collaborating with Indigenous partners on cultural heritage initiatives. Sharon Fortney, a curator at the Museum of Vancouver, highlighted the significance of repatriation claims, especially for items collected before 1970, a period marked by oppressive policies towards Indigenous communities.
Baird reflected on her great-grandfather’s aspirations for land claim resolution and the return of Sqəmáθia, underscoring the emotional resonance of this milestone. The event represents a significant step in the ongoing journey of reconciliation and cultural preservation within the Tsawwassen First Nation.