FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:"Kadashan Cane" Repatriated to Yeil (Ravens) of Ḵaachx̱an.áak’w (Wrangell)

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

"Kadashan Cane" Repatriated to Yeil (Ravens) of Ḵaachx̱an.áak’w (Wrangell)

JUNEAU, AK (April 5, 2024) - The Central Council of the Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska (Tlingit & Haida) recently completed the transfer of the “Kadashan Cane” from the Oakland Museum of California on behalf of Ḵaachx̱an.áak’w (Wrangell). The historic cane's repatriation took place at a ceremony held at the Oakland Museum of California.

Aankháawu Woodzakaa (Richman’s Cane), which some call a “speaker’s staff,” was traditionally held by the headman of a clan. The cane was gifted to the Khaasx’agweidí clan around 1850 from their kin of the Haida Staasdaas clan. The Khaasx’agweidí clan, a Raven moiety, uses the Eagle shown on the cane to represent their Haida past.

The cedar cane was masterfully carved by Albert Edward Edenshaw (Git’aalhjuu) 1810-1894. It measures 58 inches in length and is adorned with carved animal and human figures. History notes the cane is a particularly important item of chiefly regalia, possessing sacred qualities and was only used on special occasions to command, unify and represent clan members.

The last clan leader to have possession of the cane in 1897 was John Katishan (Kadashaan) or “Chief Katishan”, becoming the namesake of the cane. A totem pole replicated from the cane once stood outside the chief’s clan house.

Sometime during the late 19th and early 20th century, a local shop owner and his sister collected the cane during their time in Wrangell, Alaska. The collectors passed the staff down to Dorothy K. Haberman, who donated it to the Oakland Museum of California in 1959.

Teeyhítaan clan leader Mike Hoyt (Gáshxh) witnessed the repatriation ceremony. “I’m grateful for the work Tlingit & Haida does to bring our at.óow home,” said Hoyt. “It’s the return of our ancestors—their voices, stories and names. That strengthens us and reinvigorates us, as a community. Kadashaan was, to me, a legendary figure. He was a teacher who passed along so many of our stories to Tom Ukas and William Paul, just to name a few. He worked with numerous ethnographers. His work is prolific. To have this staff, which is connected to him, helps us to honor his work. It’s also serendipitous. Wrangell Cooperative Association has funds to carve totem poles in Wrangell and brought together elders, clan leaders and representatives. One of the totems decided a priority was the one based off this staff. So, to have it returning home now, is perfect.”

Kevin Callahan (Gaalgé), who is Chaak (Eagle) of the Naanya.aayí clan, was also present and “balanced the ceremony,” reminding everyone of the recently repatriated Chief Shakes Killerwhale Staff of the Naanya.aayí clan as “holding hands once again.”

The Aankháawu Woodzakaa will be taken back to Wrangell, Alaska and stored at the museum.

Tlingit & Haida’s Cultural Resources program repatriates objects of cultural patrimony, sacred objects, funerary objects and human remains in accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) of 1990 and the National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI) Act of 1989. The Cultural Resources program works with tribes to submit claims to museums for the return of cultural objects, assisting tribes and individuals in identifying cultural objects, family trees, memorial parties, and clan identification.

For more information on the cane, contact Tlingit & Haida's Cultural Resources program at NLR@tlingitandhaida.gov or 907.463.7186.

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Contact:

Communications Department

Central Council of the Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska

Phone: 907.463.7368 | Email: communications@tlingitandhaida.gov

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