Treasures opens in Denver

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More than 250 residents of Denver, Colorado came out to celebrate the opening of HuupuKwanum - Tupaat: Treasures of the Nuu-chah-nulth Chiefs at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science.

Within the sunlit atrium of the museum, the assembled crowd witnessed the colorful display of local Kiowa, Shoshone, and Lakota singers drummers and dancers, before Ditidaht dancers Brian Tate and Ralph Edgar performed a thunderbird dance.

Flashbulbs sparkled from the two mezzanines above the floor as Ditidaht singers sang Ya-ya-hweet-la-lay, a song owned by Richard Tate, which echoed throughout the museum's corridors.

"We honor and recognize the First Nations of the Pacific Northwest, the Nuu-chah-nulth people of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada on the occasion of the exhibition opening of HuupuKwanum Tupaat, Treasures of the Nuu-chah-nulth Chiefs," said museum curator Richard Stuckey. "This amazing exhibition of the arts, culture and heritage of a proud and unique Native people has traveled from the Royal British Columbia Museum in Victoria to be viewed by the Denver and Colorado public from Oct. 6 to Jan. 15, 2001. We welcome you one and all."

The 22 Nuu-chah-nulth delegates felt welcome by the host nations who performed throughout HuupuKwanum's opening day.

The Oct. 7 event started with a traditional grand entry by the Southern War Descendents Singers, who drummed in veterans carrying the American, Colorado, and Canadian flags. Toquaht Tyee Ha'wiih Bert Mack was asked to carry in the Canadian Flag; an honor taken very seriously by the American veterans. The Flag Song was then sung by Wo Lakota Peta - Northern Drum made up of Lakota, Shoshone, and Oglala Lakota singers.

Fancy dancers from Kiowa, Navajo, Cheyenne, Lakota, Choctaw, Zuni, Arapaho, and Ho Chunk Nations dazzled the crowd with their spectacular dances and dresses. With a total population of 2.1 million, Denver is home to more than 30,000 American Indian people representing nations from across North America.

After the inter-tribal dance, museum representatives Joyce Herald (curator of ethnology), Liz Cook (anthropology educator) and Susan Savage (Native American liaison) presented Nuu-chah-nulth representatives with a number of gifts, which was reciprocated by Nuu-chah-nulth, who presented gifts to museum officials.

Despite a difficult beginning, the Denver trip was a great success.

A week before the scheduled departure date, the Denver Museum of Nature and Science told the Nuu-Chah-Nulth Tribal Council that it could not afford to bring a delegation of 20 Nuu-chah-nulth Ha'wiih down to Colorado as previously discussed.

Delegates at the NTC meeting reacted angrily to this, saying that it was rude of the Denver Museum to revoke funding at such a late date, and to deny the Nuu-chah-nulth an opportunity to open the exhibition in a manner befitting their culture.

After quick negotiations it was decided that the museum would pay for the HuupuKwanum committee's airfare, for hotel accommodations for all, and a few meals. But the damage had been done; many Ha'wiih decided that they would not attend because of the way things were handled.

Tla-o-qui-aht sent a delegation of four Ha'wiih to the opening. Ditidaht sent two of their Chabut', a speaker-singer, an Elder, and two dancers. Uchucklesaht, Mowachaht/Muchalaht, Toquaht, Tseshaht, and Ehattesaht were also represented. Nuu-chah-nulth and council representatives offered their hopes and prayers to exhibit hosts Genevieve Mack, Jeff Gallic, and Stan Smith, who will stay with the exhibition in Denver for the next three months acting as tour guides, interpreters, and guardians of the treasures.

Throughout the three days spent in Denver, delegates toured the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, the Denver Art Museum, the opening of George David's exhibit at the Carson Art Gallery, and a few individual side-trips to Denver area attractions.

Upon leaving Denver, most of the apprehensions and frustrations elt by delegates upon arrival seemed to have melted away largely due to the host American Indian nations as well as museum representative Liz Cook. Although sad to leave their HuupuKwanum Tupaat in Denver, Nuu-chah-nulth delegates seemed to agree that it was in good hands.