Doug Cranmer Huxwhukw mask

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Introduction

Timeline of the Potlatch Conflict

1849

1870-1884

1889-1895

1906-1918

1921-1922

1951

The Museum Compromise

U'mista Cultural Centre

Stories of the Potlatch Collection

 

U'Mista Cultural Society (UCS)-Alert Bay

Timeline of the Potlatch Conflict

 
In 1889, Hamasak was arrested and tried under the new law by Indian Agent Reginald Pidcock. Hamasak pled guilty, and was sentenced to six months' imprisonment, but was also scheduled for trial in Victoria. Presiding Judge Sir Matthew Begbie dismissed the case, pointing out the law's flaws. "…from all I know of the gatherings, I think [the potlatch] would be very hard to explain." (Cole and Chaikin 35) Begbie knew that "different people appear to have very different notions as to what the word means." (Bracken 92) It would be almost impossible to convict future violators until a clearer definition was established. This point was also made by Hamasak's supporters, who asked, "why should we be threatened by arrest all the time when we don't know what is required of us?" (Bracken 81) Begbie further explained that "to create an offense previously unknown to the law there ought to be some definition of it in the statute." (Cole and Chaikin 35) Begbie's decision stated the law could not accept the guilty plea of an Indian who couldn't speak English, for "an offence the facts constituting which we should ourselves be unable to set forth." (Cole and Chaikin 36) The first case had been a failure.

 

In 1895, Section 114 of the Indian Act was amended: "Every Indian or other person who engages in, or assists in celebrating or encourages either directly or indirectly another to celebrate, any Indian festival, dance, or other ceremony of which the giving away or paying or giving back of money, goods or articles of any sort forms a part, or is a feature, whether such gift of money, goods or articles takes place before, at, or after the celebration of the same…is guilty of an indictable offense and is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months and not less than two months." (Statutes of Canada, 1895)

 

Photos from Cole and Chaikin

Top: Matthew Begbie, 41

Bottom: blankets collected for potlatches, 87