Tenacity
- Description
Print Method: Giclée
Edition: 199
Released: October 2019
Paper Size: 17" x 22"
My first ancestor, ‘Na̱mugwis, descended from the sky wearing the feather garments of a Sea Eagle. Upon landing, he removed his outer clothes to reveal his inner human form. After some time living alone, ‘Na̱mugwis discovered a young boy abandoned on the beach and immediately adopted him. Through training and determination, this boy grew rapidly and started to hunt from his canoe. He was extremely successful and quickly amassed a great amount of sea otter and seal for his father. With this newfound abundance, ’Na̱mugwis decided to hold the first feast in the area. He invited all of the nearby chiefs whom he fed and gifted pelts. This redistribution of wealth, or “potlatch”, allowed him to give his son the new name U’ma̱xtalatła’yi, or “He-Who-Becomes-Chief-by-Hunting-on-the-Sea”. This ceremony came to set the order of gift-giving and the respective ranking structure of the Kwagu’ł chiefs for successive generations to follow. It was the way in which our ancestors conducted business—both big and small.
Upon seeing potlatches in action, early missionaries and Indian agents couldn’t understand why we liked to give away our wealth. To their Victorian sensibilities, fortunes were made to amass, not to give away. With advice from these individuals and influenced by sensationalistic stories in newspapers, the nascent Canadian government introduced the “anti-potlatch” law. Enacted in 1885, this law made provisions to arrest and imprison anyone caught participating in our traditional ceremonies—with the potlatch being the prime example. In the face of this law, our people persisted and continued to potlatch. Even when a number of our chiefs and noble women were taken away to Oakalla prison, they still tenaciously followed their traditions. To evade police, our ceremonies began to be held in remote villages during inclement weather or in living rooms rooms under the guise of a good tea party. With tenacity, our people carried on.
When the anti-potlatch law was unceremoniously dropped from the Indian Act in 1951, our people were able to conduct our ceremonies in public once again. Chiefs—including my grandfather—built bighouses in which we could once again host potlatches. Looking at the tenacity of our old people, it is imperative that our present generation continue to follow in the path laid down by our ancestors.
Canvas Editions: Please allow up to 3 - 4 weeks production time before shipping for this item.
FAQ
Apparel Return & Exchange Policy
Not quite right? That’s OK. You can return online purchases by mailing it back to us:
Totem Design House
3250 Comox Rd
Courtenay, BC
V9N3P8
*Please Note: We do not pay for return shipping*
For apparel returns or exchanges, items must not be washed, worn or damaged. All original tags must be attached.
Regular-Priced Merchandise
Within 14 days of the shipping date: you can exchange your item or receive a refund to the original method of payment. After 14 days: you can exchange your item. After 20 days: we will no longer accept returns or exchanges.
Sale Merchandise
Within 14 days of the shipping date: you can exchange your item. Sorry, no refunds on sale or discounted items.
Return Refund & Processing
Your refund will be credited to the original method of payment
All refunds will be processed within 7 business days of receipt of your return package.
Problems With Your Order?
Received a damaged package?
Fortunately, we have not encountered more than a couple damaged orders, but please note Totem Design House is NOT responsible for damage during shipping. Please contact Canada Post and proceed with insurance process with the following link: Canada Post Insurance Claim
Shipping Delays: We are not responsible for shipping delays. Once orders are dropped off at Canada Post, packages are literally out of our hands and we have no more access to tracking than what the customer has. Use this link to submit a service ticket direct with Canada Post, as we unfortunately, are unable to assist you.
Click here for Canada Post Service Ticket
Order Cancellations
In cases when we are sold out on products and the order cannot be fulfilled, Totem Design House reserves the right to cancel the order and issue an immediate refund to the customer.
Return Policy
ABSOLUTELY NO RETURNS/EXCHANGES ON ART PRINTS, JEWELRY, AND SALE ITEMS.
Shipping
Fast shipping
Orders typically ship next business day
EXCEPTION: Large acrylic and canvas art pieces can take up to 3 weeks for production and we are not responsible for delays in shipping of those items.
Order tracking
Get tracking updates to follow your order until it arrives.
Get in touch
Questions about fit, fabrics, etc? Shoot us a message!