Grandfather Canoe to Remain in Canada
3 Jun
A 180-year-old birchbark canoe dubbed “The Grandfather Canoe” which was forgotten for years at an Irish university, will be returned to Canada, the National University of Ireland, Galway announced Tuesday.
The Daily Gleaner, a New Brunswick newspaper reports the story HERE, with a photo of the boat.
As we’ve noted earlier — HERE and HERE— the vessel, which was built by Maliseet First Nation craftsmen around 1820 and which is thought to be the oldest birchbark canoe in existence, wound up back in Canada when University officials sent it to the Canadian Museum of Civilization in Ottawa for restoration. It has been on display in New Brunswick since June 2008.
The canoe was owned in 1824 by British Lieutenant-Governor Sir Howard Douglas. It was shipped across the Atlantic in 1852 by Lieutenant Stepney St. George of the British imperial forces in Canada, who had come to own the boat. He later donated the vessel to the University.
As soon as the existence of the canoe was made known in Canada, members of the Maliseet First Nation sought its return. The details of just where in Canada the canoe will reside and who exactly will own it are still being finalized. Maliseet First Nation Chief Candance Paul hopes her people will ultimately possess the vessel.
The canoe, which has been on display at the New Brunswick Museum in St. John, will be shown at the Beaverbrook Art Gallery in Fredericton, New Brunswick beginning on June 21, Canada’s Aboriginal Day.
