Loon Headdress

Item number A6102 from the MOA: University of British Columbia.

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Data
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Description

Loon headdress. Loon is positioned as if in a swimming/seated position, and has a red and yellow beak, light green around its eyes, a grey body and black, red and light green ovoid designs on each wing. There is a hole carved through the central upper back area. The underside is carved out to fit on top of a person's head.

History Of Use

The loon dance belongs to the Tla'sala ceremonies. The loon is part of the Mamalilikala clan origin story known as K'ik'agawe' who was a loon that transformed into a man to become the founder of his clan.

Narrative

This headdress was given to Ben Alfred Sr. by Chief Harry Mountain, as a dowry item when Ben married his niece Elizabeth May Inis. Harry Mountain was a half brother of Elizabeth's mother Annie Pudtlas. Alice Mountain (nee Inis) had an older brother named Fred Inis, whose only daughter was Elizabeth Inis. William Wasden Jr. borrowed back the headdress for his potlatches in 2005 and 2006. Wasden has the right to do so because he inherited the title of his 'Namgis great-grandfather, Ben Alfred, Sr., who received the headdress and other privileges as dowry from his bride, Elizabeth May Innis, who in turn had been bestowed with the treasures through her uncle, Arthur Dick.