Case file · Sacred site
The Cranmer potlatch and the potlatch ban
In December 1921 Dan Cranmer held a great potlatch at Village Island, B.C.; police arrested dozens of Kwakwaka'wakw people under Canada's potlatch ban and confiscated sacred masks and regalia.
1921 CE · 50.62, -126.55 · status: official
The account
The Indian Act banned the potlatch from 1885 until 1951. Some of those arrested were jailed; others gave up their regalia, which went to museums and collectors. Returned items are now held at the U'mista Cultural Centre (1980) and the Nuyumbalees Centre.