First Nations ceremonial shaming rite targeted at federal government

    1 of 1 2 of 1

      An ancient First Nations ritual steeped in symbolism is going to take place in the nation’s capital this summer.

      A copper shield will be smashed on Parliament Hill, an act believed never to have been done before in Ottawa. Called copper cutting, the ceremonial shaming practice will evoke what many consider to be a broken relationship between the federal government and Canada’s aboriginal people.

      “Our coppers are a symbol of justice, a symbol of truth, a symbol of balance,” according to Beau Dick, a renowned carver from Vancouver Island’s Namgis First Nation.

      At his UBC studio, the resident artist in the department of art history, visual art, and theory explained that breaking copper constituted an insult in old times.

      “It is banishment. It is an expression of extreme disappointment and anguish,” Dick explained to the Georgia Straight.

      The ritual, indigenous to Natives of the Pacific Northwest, had not been practised for decades until the 59-year-old artist revived it last year.

      After marching for a week from the northern tip of Vancouver Island with relatives and supporters, Dick shattered a copper shield in front of the B.C. legislature in Victoria on February 10, 2013.

      During a gathering at UBC later last year to celebrate his artist residency, the idea was born to perform the ceremony in Ottawa. One of those present at that social event was Giindajin Haawasti Guujaaw. Also a famous carver, Guujaaw is a former president of the Council of the Haida Nation.

      When aboriginal representatives meet on Parliament Hill on July 27 for the shaming ceremony, it will be Haida copper that will be split.

      “We’re facing a federal government here that has shown total disregard for the environment, for the wildlife, for the people of the coast, and we want to express that in the best way that we can and that’s in the breaking of the copper,” Guujaaw told the Straight in a phone interview.

      Foremost among the grievances is Ottawa’s recent approval of Enbridge Inc.’s Northern Gateway oil pipeline, a $7.9-billion project that has divided First Nations in B.C.

      “It’s a one-show pony over there. They’re only interested in oil,” Guujaaw noted.

      The Haida artist also mentioned cutbacks to Fisheries and Oceans Canada undermining the conservation of marine resources that many Native groups rely upon for food and cultural purposes. Guujaaw said he doesn’t expect anything to change on the part of the government anytime soon.

      As to what aboriginal people want to put across to Ottawa, Guujaaw said: “The message will be the ceremony.”

      In the past, copper was a marker of Native wealth and status, according to Eldon Yellowhorn, chair of SFU’s department of First Nations studies. When chiefs held a potlatch, the metal was given as a gift, said Yellowhorn, who hails from Alberta’s Piikani First Nation.

      Although the planned breaking of copper may be symbolic, he noted that it’s indicative of Native sentiment about processes around projects such as oil pipelines. “Many of them feel that they haven’t been consulted,” Yellowhorn told the Straight by phone, “so I’m sure this is a way of illustrating to the government that they’re not pleased.”

      Like broken metal, frayed relationships can be restored, but there should be amends, according to Dick. “There has to be atonement,” he said.

      On Wednesday (July 2), Dick and Guujaaw will meet at the UBC First Nations House of Learning for ceremonies to kick-start a cross-country journey to Ottawa. Dick’s five-year-old grandson and an almost 90-year-old aunt are coming along.

      “We as a First Nation group want to move forward together in unity with our fellow men to create a better world,” Dick said. “I think that this is where we start this notion of reconciliation and unity.”

      Comments

      7 Comments

      Alan Layton

      Jun 25, 2014 at 11:36am

      That'll learn em.

      RUK

      Jun 25, 2014 at 3:33pm

      How broken is it? Not 1969 White Paper broken, I'm guessing. That would be interesting.

      Bruce

      Jun 26, 2014 at 8:00am

      Harper and his cronies have no sense of shame, so... good luck with that...

      Ben

      Jul 4, 2014 at 2:47pm

      Shaming says more about the shamers than those they shame.

      Kyah Wiget Yintah

      Jul 12, 2014 at 4:47pm

      The Moral of our people young and old have always held onto our spiritual teaching of our ancestors. Many who do not understand the teachings & respect we have learned is deeply rooted within our grasslands people. Turtle Island is a Nation for all, Respect, Dignity, Empathy, Compassion & understanding that we were groomed with. We have Our Creator (whoever we believe him/her to be) that is the guidance of our people. Our Ceremony to move into the understanding of one another is in the Hands of Our Creator & Great Ancestors who have prayed in ceremony to learn and guide us. This ceremony is to correct behavior and let it be known that it is addressed. That we do not accept this for the Nation of Turtle Island. Ignorance maybe bliss, however in the end when the last drop of water cannot nuture the Nation. Those who ridiculed and did nothing will be ones who will endure that ignorance at its root. Our people have done what we were taught & worked from Day1.

      Victor

      Jul 12, 2014 at 8:10pm

      This is usually done by Chiefs and will Harper even care

      Cat Thunder

      Jul 23, 2014 at 8:21am

      They threw a shoe at George Bush and now we do it differently here.We give the government our piece of mind to how it's done.