The Treasures Come Home

Tsimshian Treasures:
The Remarkable Journey of the Dundas Collection

They're home. Over 125 years ago a British Missionary obtained, through either payment or gift, a significant collection of art and artifacts from the very people he wanted to convert to Christianity: The Tsimshian. His name was the Reverend Robert James Dundas. In 1859 he arrived in Victoria, British Columbia to take up the post as the first rector of St. John's Anglican Church. It was the first church consecrated on Vancouver Island. He served in this position for 5 years.

The Collector: Robert James Dundas

Within a year of his arrival in Victoria, early in 1860, the Reverend Dundas became interested in proselytizing among the aboriginal people of Canada, focusing his energies on the Tsimshian people. He first visited their encampment, located in Rock Bay, Victoria Harbour in January of 1860. Four months later a meeting of lay preachers took place to focus on their methods of converting the native Canadians. They created a list of acceptable behaviors, some that would require the converted to give up their cultural heritage to obtain eternal life as Dundas and the others saw it. It was the cost one had to pay to demonstrate their loyalty to their new faith.

A month later a significant meeting took place. The Reverend Robert James Dundas met William Duncan, an Anglican lay minister, who established a lay village at Metlakatla. Duncan developed an interest in native culture, particularly it's artistic heritage. Duncan wasn't ordained and he needed Dundas to perform ceremonies such as weddings and baptisms.

In 1863, on October 26, the Reverend Dundas somehow, it is up for dispute whether he paid for them or not, received the Tsimshian Collection that William Duncan had amassed. Dundas arranged for it to be sent to his English home. Of note is that the Reverend didn't sell the collection. It remained as children's playthings and curiosities for guests until his great-grandson Simon Carey organized an auction in October of 2005 at Sotheby's, New York City. Thanks to a group of Canadians, the majority of the collection was purchased, at a cost of $7 million USD, to be returned to Canada.

The collection, in some ways mistakenly, has the name of the man who acquired it and kept it for well over a century. It is the spirit and creativity of the Tsimshian people that put their heart and soul into the pieces for whom the collection should be know. The Tsimshian Collection of Treasures is currently on tour across Canadian museums. The first stop was the Museum of Northern British Columbia, in Prince Rupert.

Tsimshian Treasures: The Remarkable Journey of the Dundas Collection, exhibition catalog correctly delves into the sad and long history of the attempts of the Tsimshian to bring these treasures and artifacts home. Tellingly the collection has the moniker of it's longtime custodian, Dundas, not that of the original creators of these magnificent pieces of native Canadian history. Art is such a significant part of culture. Following the history of the important works is a wonderful catalog of the items beautifully photographed and explained.

William White, Tsimshian Chilkat Weaver, writes the postscript bringing the loss and regain to a conclusion. It wasn't perfect, it wasn't right but that can be put aside as the treasure is finally where it belongs and importantly on view to let Canadians and visitors know of the beauty of these works, and of a significant part of Canadian and often world history. The removal of artifacts for profit or gain, even just to view for family and friends, is not an original story, yet taking what doesn't belong for whatever reasons is wrong. White notes that given the collection is being viewed by the Tsimshian people this provides a sign of respect for their long-ago artisans. For the non-Tsimshians viewers his hope for him and his community is that the oral histories and traditions of the Tsimshians is not overlooked but celebrated and learned. What a profound acknowledgment that the past cannot be forgotten but to look to the future good rather that the errors of history. It is about teaching the Tsimshian culture of long ago and as it evolves, into who the Tsimshian 'will become'.

Treasures of the Tsimshian from the Dundas Collection
Art Gallery of Ontario:
through October 7, 2007