Totem: The Return of the G’psgolox Pole | Gil Cardinal |2003 | 1 h 10 min

This feature-length documentary traces the journey of the Haisla people to reclaim the G’psgolox totem pole that went missing from their British Columbia village in 1929. The fate of the 19th century traditional mortuary pole remained unknown for over 60 years until it was discovered in a Stockholm museum where it is considered state property by the Swedish government. Director Gil Cardinal combines interviews, striking imagery and rare footage of master carvers to raise questions about ownership and the meaning of Indigenous objects held in museums.

This event is part the Food to monument, an indigenous arts festival, for more information, click here.

To find other screenings from the AABIZIINGWASHI (Wide Awake), the NFB Indigenous cinema on tour near you, click here.