The Chilkat woven blanket that is over 100 years old and it was recently found up for auction in Paris.
The First Nation where the blanket originated discovered this and scrambled to get the money together to buy it. ‘Namgis hereditary Chief Bill Cranmer says they bought the bought it for about $40,000 and over $25,000 came from the Federal Government’s Movable Cultural Property Program, the rest was fundraised.
Cranmer says the blanket holds important cultural significance.
It will now be housed and on display in the U’mista Cultural Center in Alert Bay.
North Island MP John Duncan announced the federal grant.
“I am thrilled that our Government helped the U’mista Cultural Society bring back the work of Anisalaga, whose story is intertwined with the history of our region and province. Still today, many of Anisalaga’s descendants are celebrated artists, and this ceremonial blanket in the U’mista Cultural Centre will pay tribute to their ancestor,” says Duncan.
