NUI GALWAY is to repatriate a 180-year-old birch-bark canoe, built by native Americans and acquired by an Irish soldier serving with British imperial forces in Canada.
The Maliseet canoe, which is believed to be the oldest of its type in the world, is to be donated by the university to the “Canadian people”, following an appeal for its return by a native American community in new Brunswick.
The Grandfather Akwitencanoe, as it is known, was one of three built by the Maliseet native Americans for British lieutenant-governor Sir Howard Douglas, who arrived in New Brunswick, Canada, in 1824.
It subsequently passed into the hands of Lieut Stepney St George, who was then serving with the British imperial forces in Canada. He transported it back home to Headford Castle, Co Galway.
In 1852 it was donated to what was then known as Queen’s University in Galway by a subsequent tenant of Headford Castle, Edward Lombard Hunt.
It hung from the roof of NUIG’s Quadrangle building for many decades, until it was rescued latterly by Dr Kathryn Moore of the university’s earth and ocean sciences department, and sent to Canada for restoration.
It was only when it was placed on temporary display in the Canadian Museum of Civilisation that the Maliseet community became aware of its presence in Canada, the community says.
Chief Candice Paul of St Mary’s First Nation Wolastokwiyik (Maliseet) community of New Brunswick issued an appeal in late March for its permanent return, saying that there was “no greater symbol of our traditions” and “no canoe more iconic” that this one.
The craft had been an essential part of life and “integral” to Maliseet culture, having been used for hunting, fishing and portages on the St John river, she said.
NUIG has told The Irish Timesthat the university "strongly believes" that its permanent home should be in Canada, but in an appropriate museum context where it can be conserved.
“NUIG has to comply fully with the relevant licence requirements covering the export of such artefacts,” the university said.
“It is actively pursuing this, with the immediate objective of extending the current loan arrangement so that the canoe can be displayed as part of an exhibition of indigenous art at the Beaverbrook Art Gallery in Fredericton, New Brunswick.
“The university must also ensure that any permanent transfer of ownership secures the long-term conservation of the canoe, and intends to seek external advice on this issue.”
It said that a significant contribution in both financial and staff time terms had been made towards identification of the canoe’s origins, and its recent conservation. A private benefactor had also provided storage facilities, it said.
Labour Party president and former arts minister Michael D Higgins has expressed support for the Maliseet community’s plea.
