An artifact of local importance was returned to its rightful home in Wrangell Nov. 6, as the Kaach.ádi Clan celebrated the return of its Xixch’i S’aaxw, or Frog Hat.
This piece of regalia embodies the history and pride of its clan, Tlingits of the Raven moiety who migrated down the Naas and Stikine rivers and settled in Telegraph Creek, Wrangell and Kake.
“The hat represents the clan,” explained Cindy DeWitt, an esteemed member of the Kaach.ádi who came down from her home in Juneau for the celebration. She accompanied representatives of the Central Council Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska (CCTHITA), which had submitted the claim for its return from the Oakland Museum. The Frog Hat had been brought to Juneau last November, where it awaited final transfer.
Members of the Kaach.ádi and Deisheetaan clans together hosted a potlatch, which both celebrated the hat’s return and commemorated the passing of recent clan members. DeWitt explained the potlatch was the first formal gathering of the Kaach.ádi in a century, and so was an important moment.
Tribal regalia, ceremonial staffs and the restored posts of the Frog Clan House were incorporated in the celebration. Some of these items are safeguarded by the Wrangell Museum, and are kept on display when not in use.
The potlatch began inside the Nolan Center convention hall at midday, and continued until nearly 5 a.m. Saturday. During the ceremony, the Kaach.ádi and Deisheetaan each told of their history and crests. DeWitt said she learned the story of her clan from her grandmother, Marian Paul DeWitt.
“We’re trying to rekindle and revive what we know about our clan,” she said. “I think it’s important to everybody to know who their clans are.”
As is customary, money and gifts were “killed” during the event, presented to guests. They were invited from among neighboring clans and tribes, from among the Tlingit, Haida, Tsimshian, Tahltan and non-Natives. As clan opposites, or Guneitkanaayi, attending Wolves bore witness to the ceremony, and were fed and given gifts.
For much of the 20th century the Frog Hat was thought to be lost, after being acquired by a collector and former Wrangell shopkeeper. The hat resurfaced in 1959 after being donated to the Oakland Museum of California, where it was maintained as part of its collection.
Now returned, the Frog Hat will be kept in the care of the Wrangell Museum with other clan items. Overlaid with copper and abalone shell, and decorated with ermine skins and potlatch rings, the 200-year-old item will be the fifth carved hat kept at the museum.
“We’re just the holder,” explained museum director Terri Henson.
While available for ceremonial use by designated tribal members, not all of the artifacts at the museum are fully owned by their respective groups. For example, the Raven Hat and Beaver Staff are both on loan from the Denver Museum.
Eventually, Henson would like to update the cases used to display these local items, both for their protection and to ease access when they are needed for ceremonial use.
“Ultimately I would love to have a raised platform,” she said. Some areas will see improvement. Last week the museum received a $3,000 grant from Museums Alaska for LED tube lighting, which will help protect the collection from harmful ultraviolet light.
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