Madam, – We were very pleased to see Lorna Siggins’s report on the repatriation of the Maliseet canoe (Front Page, March 28th). The attention is warranted.
Here in New Brunswick, Canada, there is wide community and political support for St Mary’s First Nation in their efforts to make a permanent home for the “Grandfather Akwiten” canoe on the Saint John River in Fredericton.
To date St Mary’s has obtained letters of support from members of parliament, the New Brunswick Legislature, the city of Fredericton, the national chiefs’ organisation the Assembly of First Nations, as well as community-based organisations such as the Conservation Council of New Brunswick.
For the Maliseet people the canoe is a vital spiritual and cultural artefact. The canoe belongs near the Saint John River, not in Ireland. When it is returned to St Mary’s First Nation, it will be a living testament to the skills and culture of the Maliseet people. It will also inspire Native and non-Native people alike with its craftsmanship and stimulate discussion about the history of the Maliseet people and their relationship with the Europeans who settled in this region.
As dual citizens of Canada and Ireland, we feel strongly that the Maliseet people should be recognised as the rightful owners of Grandfather Akwiten.
It was fortunate that the NUI Galway found the canoe and sent it back to Canada for restoration. We hope that it will take this wonderful opportunity to be part of a cultural exchange with the Maliseet people of New Brunswick – recognising Maliseet ownership of “Grandfather Akwiten” and also recognising the important caretaking role that NUI Galway has played in the canoe’s journey to Ireland and back home.
For the record, Chief Candice Paul of St Mary’s First Nation is a woman – your report referred to her as “he”. After being elected to her second term of office in 2007, she declared in a radio interview that the repatriation of the canoe would be a priority. – Yours, etc,