Nisg̱aʼa Museum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Nisg̱aʼa Museum |
|
|---|---|
|
Hli G̱oothl Wilp-Adoḵshl Nisg̱aʼa
|
|
,_BC_-_(21531947056).jpg) |
|
| General information | |
| Location | 810 Highway Drive, Lax̱g̱altsʼap, British Columbia, Canada |
| Coordinates | 55°01′58″N 129°34′53″W / 55.0327°N 129.5814°W |
| Completed | 2011 |
| Cost | $14 million |
| Technical details | |
| Floor area | 10,000 sq ft (930 m2) |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Hillel Architecture |
The Nisg̱aʼa Museum (which means "the heart of Nisg̱aʼa House crests" in the Nisg̱aʼa language) is a special place for the Nisga'a people. It is located in Lax̱g̱altsʼap, a village in northwestern British Columbia, Canada. The museum's name shows how important tribal crests are to the Nisg̱aʼa community.
This museum was created by the Nisg̱aʼa Lisims Government, which is the self-governing body of the Nisg̱aʼa Nation. It first opened its doors in the spring of 2011. The museum is a place where Nisg̱aʼa artifacts are shown. It also helps share their traditions and ideas. It is a center for learning and research about Nisg̱aʼa culture. Many experts say the museum's collection is one of the best for Northwest Coast Indigenous art. The museum's website says, "This is our gift to each other, our fellow Canadians and the world."
Contents
Discovering Nisg̱aʼa Culture Through Exhibits
The Nisg̱aʼa Museum has many amazing exhibits. These displays help visitors learn about the history and traditions of the Nisg̱aʼa people. The museum's main collection is called the Ancestors' Collection.
The Ancestors' Collection: Bringing Treasures Home
Long ago, in the late 1800s and early 1900s, many Nisg̱aʼa artifacts were taken from the Nass Valley. They were removed by missionaries who settled along the Nass River. The Ancestors' Collection brings back over 330 of these important items. These treasures were returned to the Nisg̱aʼa from other museums and the Anglican Church of Canada. This return was part of the Nisg̱aʼa Treaty.
To enter the exhibits, you walk through a copy of a traditional Nisg̱aʼa longhouse. The museum has four main galleries, each showing a different part of Nisg̱aʼa life and beliefs.
Transformation Gallery: Spirits and Performers
This gallery shows many naxnok (spirit) masks. It celebrates the Nisg̱aʼa performers who used these masks. They brought these spirits to life through their dances and ceremonies.
Halayt Gallery: Shamans and Supernatural Power
Here, you can see items used by Nisg̱aʼa shamans, called halayt. Shamans were spiritual leaders. They used these items to connect with and guide supernatural forces.
Ayuuk Gallery: Chiefs and Nisg̱aʼa Laws
This gallery displays a chief's box, or hoohlgan. Inside are special clothes and items that show the social roles and rules of the Nisg̱aʼa. These rules are part of the Nisg̱aʼa laws and customs, known as Ayuukhl Nisg̱aʼa.
Living River Gallery: Daily Life Along the Nass River
This section shows items used in everyday life. You can see tools and objects used in a traditional Nisg̱aʼa longhouse. It also displays items used for living on the land or along the banks of the Nass River, which the Nisg̱aʼa call Lisims.
Most artifacts are openly displayed, so you can see them up close. Only the most delicate or valuable items are behind glass. Motion sensors help keep everything safe. The museum also features four house poles, also known as totem poles. These poles represent the four Nisg̱aʼa clans and were carved especially for the museum.
Future Exhibits and Learning Opportunities
The museum plans to add more exhibits in the future. These will cover the natural history and more recent history of the Nisg̱aʼa people. They will also show the journey of the Nisg̱aʼa Nation to become self-governing. Future additions might include audio guides, videos, and a searchable database. There are also plans for a library, a teaching center, and a gift shop for Nisg̱aʼa art.
The Ni'isjoohl Totem Pole: A Journey Home
The Ni'isjoohl totem pole is a very tall, hand-carved totem pole, standing about 31 feet (9.4 m) high. It was made in the 1800s to honor Ts'wawit, a Nisg̱aʼa warrior who died in battle. In 1929, the pole was taken without permission and sent to the Royal Scottish Museum.
On September 29, 2023, this important pole officially returned to the Nisg̱aʼa people. It will now be kept safely in the Nisg̱aʼa Museum. This return is a big moment for the Nisg̱aʼa Nation.
Museum Facilities and Design
Planning for the Nisg̱aʼa Museum started in the 1990s. Money for the museum was set aside as part of the Nisg̱aʼa Treaty. In September 2010, a special ceremony welcomed the artifacts back to the Nisg̱aʼa. The items were even escorted by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. The museum, which cost $14 million to build, opened on May 11, 2011. This date was also the 11th anniversary of the signing of the Nisg̱aʼa Treaty.
The museum's design is inspired by traditional Nisg̱aʼa forms. The shape of the building's floor plan looks like a feast bowl. The cross-section of the building looks like a traditional longhouse. The roof is shaped like a canoe. The canoe shape and its location on a gravel area, like a beach, remind people of the motto from the Nisg̱aʼa Treaty signing: "our canoe has landed."
As of 2014, the museum had the only Class A climate-controlled gallery space in northwestern British Columbia. This means the temperature and humidity are perfectly controlled to protect the artifacts. The museum also has very advanced security systems.
