Nuxalk Nation Flag – Public Domain
VICTORIA, British Columbia – Last week in yet another example of repatriation of Indigenous artifacts held by museums, members of the Nuxalk Nation oversaw the return of a totem pole that had been on display in the Royal British Columbia Museum. How the totem pole came to be in the museum is a story familiar to many Native peoples across North America.
According to Nuxalk Nation Hereditary Chief Snuxyaltwa (Deric Snow), members of the Nuxalk Nation left their lands in Talleomy (South Bentinck) to escape the smallpox epidemic in 1900 and resettled a little over 20 miles (35km) away in Bella Coola. They left behind the totem pole which originally stood outside the family longhouse, and later marked the entrance to sacred burial grounds in South Bentinck.
While museum records list the totem pole being purchased for C$45 in 1913, Clyde Tallio, a teacher of traditional Nuxalk culture, stated items with such spiritual significance would never have been sold. Tallio instead said it was taken.
After visiting the museum in 2019 and seeing his great-grandfather’s sacred work on display, Chief Snow formally requested the return of his ancestor and namesake’s works. While the pandemic likely complicated the repatriation of the totem pole, Chief Snow had made multiple requests for its return. In 2022, he resorted to filing a lawsuit for the totem pole’s return.
“To us, museums are just like the residential schools where our children were killed,” Chief Snow said. “They have human remains in the Royal BC Museum, and the spirits of these human remains are there. It’s a type of pain that we can’t put into our words.”
The museum for its part did agree to return the totem pole, though cited the institution’s closure due to the pandemic as slowing down the process. While the museum is covering the expense of transporting the totem pole to Bella Coola and Nuxalk Nation land, it did not offer an amount on the cost.
According to the museum, it has received requests from more than 30 communities for the repatriation of a variety of cultural and ancestral items. The museum also said that the timeline will vary for the return of those requested items.
In an emailed statement to the Canadian Broadcast Company (CBC), the museum said, “The impact of each repatriation is significant and can be connected to important evolving initiatives, including the revitalization of languages, laws, governance, spirituality, food sovereignty, art, ceremonies and cultural practices.”
Chief Snow’s great-grandfather carved the totem pole, and according to the spiritual practices and beliefs of the Nuxalk Nation, the spirit of the carver remains held within their work. Two other works carved by Chief Snow’s ancestor, another totem pole and a war canoe, remain in the possession of the museum.
“The people who carved their totem poles were so spiritual, they were chosen to be carvers, they asked the tree to give itself up to them before carving it, they had visions on what to put on there,” Chief Snow said. “Everything in the Royal BC Museum is sacred because they were created by gifted people and their spirits are still in them.”
Nuxalk Nation members conducted two days of ceremonies to reawaken the totem pole before it began its 620-mile (1,000km) journey to Bella Coola and the Nation’s lands.
The ceremonies were conducted in the longhouse of the Kwakiutl First Nation of Fort Rupert on north Vancouver Island, which offered its use for any nation wishing to hold the ceremony in Victoria.
After the ceremonies, the totem pole secured on the bed of a tractor-trailer and accompanied by over 60 vehicles began the long drive back to Nuxalk Nation land in Bella Coola.
Today, a ceremony in Bella Coola hosted by the Nuxalk Nation will celebrate the return of the pole. The celebration will begin with dancing and followed by a feast with the totem pole scheduled to be unveiled at 6:00 pm.
Chief Snow noted that the return of the pole presents an opportunity to bring stories back to his people. “My family is happy, our ancestors are rejoicing,” he said.
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Image credit: Duc Quang Tran from Pixabay
DETROIT – In the city of Hamtramck, which is surrounded by the sprawl of Detroit, a new Witch-themed bar is slated to open on the first week of March.
In addition to offering both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, the bar will encourage its patrons to bring along their tools of divination, or they can rent a tarot deck or crystals for use while they enjoy a beverage.
The new establishment, named The Black Salt, outlines its focus on its website as:
“Specializing in cocktails that focus on the metaphysical and homeopathic properties of ingredients, our drinks serve a purpose and conjure awareness.
“Using the processes of ritual and intention, we offer cocktails that work magick. Whether you choose to engage a spell cocktail, or order a classic cocktail, we are here to serve your spirit-ual needs.”
Zoey Ashwood, the owner of The Black Salt, explained some of the magical processes of beverage creation the bar will offer to The Detroit News, “… the bartender will have a small part of the process, whether it’s stirring the drink clockwise for a certain reason or doing a visualization, just kind of setting an intention within the cocktail.”
Ashwood, noted that the customers would potentially complete the spell, “Whether they stir the cocktail a direction as well, or they visualize or set their intention in the cocktail and then drink it for that specific purpose.”
She also pointed out that drinks would only be “spelled” with the customer’s permission and the placement of their coaster would signal to servers and bartenders their preference.
As for choosing The Black Salt as the name of the establishment, Ashwood said, “It is a wonderful tool to use for protection … it’s almost like holy water for witches,” she said. “We’re a protective space, a space whether they’re into the occult or different forms of paganism or they’re just looking for a safe space to come in and feel comfortable being themselves.”
Ashwood noted, “Also, Detroit’s on top of a huge salt mine, so that came to mind, too.”
The bar will also feature repurposed bubble gum machines that will dispense spell capsules that will contain either a crystal or a small packet of black salt for protection and a spell scroll with options for how to use it.
The Black Salt’s grand opening is scheduled for Friday, March 3, 4:00 pm to 2:00 am. Patrons who arrive between 4:00 and 6:00 pm will be entered in a raffle for a “prosperity and protection” mystery bag worth $150 and provided by the Downtown Tarot Company.
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Image credit: Dougtone – CC BY-SA 2.0
LEONARDTOWN, Md. – The second annual Moll Dyer Day will be held on Saturday, February 25, from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm will include a variety of activities that include live music, a scavenger hunt, a “spirit hunt” for another one of Leonardtown’s “spirited” citizens, Mary Agnes, a paranormal investigation, as well as free admission to the Old Jail Museum.
Magical practitioner and author, Michael M. Hughes, will be giving a talk on the history of the area and surrounding the event for the St. Mary’s County Historical Society.
According to the Visit Leonardtown, MD website, “This significant event honors a local Leonardtown Legend while bringing recognition to the harmful effects of bullying. The ongoing theme of Moll Dyer Day is ‘Be Kind’.”
In a press release issued by the St. Mary’s County Historical Society, and the Commissioners of Leonardtown, the history of Moll Dyer Day was outlined:
“In 2021, Leonardtown Mayor, Dan Burris, proclaimed February 26th as Moll Dyer Day, to be commemorated annually on the last Saturday in February, in a touching ceremony that was held at Tudor Hall Manor, the home of the famed rock that bears her now faded handprint.
“Many know the legend of Moll Dyer, but it’s not as widely known that in the late 1600’s, Dyer was a real woman who lived just south of what is now Leonardtown. She is believed to have been a healer who often aided the community. However, when an epidemic of influenza arose during the winter of 1697, the Town inhabitants looked to lay blame and named her as its cause. Accused of witchcraft, Dyer was set upon by a mob fearful of the sickness. When they set fire to her small cabin, Dyer escaped into the surrounding woods on a bitterly cold night in February 1698. Her body was found days later by a young boy looking for lost livestock. She was found with one hand frozen to a large rock and the other outstretched to the sky. Legend has it that Moll put a curse on the land and on the rock. It’s rumored that anyone who touches the rock may become dizzy or even fall ill.
“The rock was moved from the Old Jail Museum in 2021 where it sat for almost 50 years to Tudor Hall Manor, the home of the St. Mary’s County Historical Society, where the organization oversees the preservation of this important piece of Southern Maryland history. The Society has helped build a platform and protective covering to shelter the rock from the elements. Since its move, the rock has seen a steady flow of visitors who often leave trinkets and small gifts for Moll.”
A full list of events celebrating Moll Dyer Day 2023 can be found on the Visit Leonardtown, MD website. Visitors are encouraged to make use of the Leonardtown Trolley to get around and help reduce traffic congestion.
Do you have a seasonal festival or event coming up?
The Wild Hunt would love to include your event in our list of upcoming celebrations for the seasons ahead. LET US KNOW!
Announcements:
- A new space, Third Sanctum, located in Warwick, Rhode Island is seeking artists for its monthly exhibitions. The space is located behind The Veiled Crow, a shop that sells “Witchery for Mind, Body, & Home.” According to social media posts by Third Sanctum, “In addition to hosting lectures, workshops, classes, and rituals, Third Sanctum is home to monthly themed art exhibitions featuring local and national talent. These shows will alternate between invitation-based and open-submission processes. There will also be special pop-up events featuring local makers and artisans.”
- The Journal of Academic Freedom is seeking original articles that investigate the links between landscapes of social power and the historical development and contemporary status of academic freedom for its 2023 issue. From The Journal, “We invite consideration of how academic freedom serves as a touchstone for democracy and the ways that the death of academic freedom signals the atrophy of more inclusive and democratized landscapes of power. What is the relationship between democratic societies and the flourishing of academia and academic freedom within them? What kind of society would powerful forces working against academia and academic freedom usher forth if they had their way?” The deadline for submissions is March 20.
- On Saturday, February 25 at 4:00 pm EST (1:00 pm PST) Cherry Hill Seminary will announce the winner of the third annual Wendy Griffin Professor of the Year Award in a special virtual ceremony. All Cherry Hill students, faculty, and friends are invited but must register in order to receive the Zoom link. Sponsored by Votaries Alumni Circle, the award includes a display trophy and a cash honorarium. Any questions regarding the ceremony can be submitted by email. CHS said, “Grab a coffee or tea, and join us as we honor this year’s winning professor and celebrate educational excellence in Pagan and Nature Spiritualities to transform our world.”
- Mystic South Conference has issued a “Call For Papers for 2023.” The annual event is held in Atlanta, Georgia, and will take place on July 14-16, 2023. Mystic South is a polytheistic conference and the call is for papers of a polytheistic spiritual nature. Blocks of the allotted time for those submissions that are accepted will be one hour. Presenters receive free access to the entire conference in exchange for their presentation of their paper. Papers may be either written and read or read and audio/visual in format. Those interested can submit a 400 +/- word abstract via the event’s website, deadline for submitting abstracts is February 28, 2023. The event states, “This is a perfect place for those that are not used to presenting academic papers; such as students, junior faculty, or those that are looking for tenure or promotion credits.” Questions pertaining to papers may be emailed to the Papers Coordinator, Gypsey Elaine Teague.
Upcoming Events:
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ConVocation Logo
After a multi-year absence from the pandemic precautions, ConVocation 2023 will take place on February 23 through February 26 in Detroit, Michigan. The four-day event which was started in 1995, will offer over 100 classes and rituals, a merchant room, an art show, and what the event identifies as “the largest indoor drum circle in the Midwest.” The theme for 2023 is “Finding our Balance, Maintaining our Center.” This year’s guests of honor include Jason Mankey, Tess Whitehurst, Mary K. Greer, and Oberon Zell, with featured presenters: Clifford Hartleigh Low, Elizabeth Hazel, Ivo Dominguez, Jr., Diana Rajchel, Baba Teddy, and Lady Kate.
- The LAVRYS Worship Community will hold its eighth annual “Falliforia” in the historical center of Athens. All the friends of Dionysus are invited to march in the Procession of the Fallis. On Sunday, February 19, the initial meeting before the start of the Phallic procession will take place in front of the entrance area of the Conservatory of Herodes Atticus (Herodion – Dionysios Areopagitou) at 5:15 local time that afternoon.
- On Saturday, February 25, in Athens, Greece, the Falliforia parade will be held for the first time since 2019 and the pandemic forced many events to be postponed or canceled. The event boasts that this year will offer “even more fun, new events, and plenty of wine from the grapes of Dionysus! Come and celebrate the coming of spring together, dance and sing together in the Fallis procession!” The parade is scheduled to begin at 18:30 (local time) at the entrance to the Acropolis Museum.
- Circle Sanctuary announced last week that registration for Pagan Spirit Gathering is now open. The annual event includes a variety of vendors, workshops, music, and rituals.
- The Scottish Goddess Conference 2023 will be held online from September 13 – 17 as well as in person in Paisley, Scotland on September 16, 2023. This theme for 2023 is “Oracles of the Divine, and will be dedicated to all things related to communicating with the other realms and spirits. From oracle work to séance, spiritism, necromancy, omens, trance work, psychedelic plants, medium, divination methods, ancient oracles, and much more!” Speakers include Professor Daniel Ogden, Dr. Jeffrey S. Kupperman, Kristoffer Hughes, Caitlin Matthews, Ivo Dominguez, Jeff Cullen, Chris Allaun, Lucya Starza, Starr Ravenhawk, Susana Aguilar, Michael Mayo, Cara Hamilton. Super Early Bird Tickets are currently available on the Scottish Goddess Conference Website. The Conference will also hold a Virtual Goddess Market till September and a live Goddess Market at the event venue at the Wynd Centre in Paisley, Scotland, to support the Goddess Temple Alba.
- The Goddess Temple Alba, with its aim to open a Community Space for Pagans in Scotland, will be hosting several Charitable Goddess Markets this year. The first one was held on February 4, and the next is scheduled for April 29 and will celebrate Beltane, and the third market will be held during the Scottish Goddess Conference on September 16. According to the organizers, “All donations towards spaces for traders will go directly to the Goddess Temple Alba Fund towards a space. Ness Bosch, the Head of the Goddess Temple Alba, and some of the members of the Temple are working very hard to open this Temple space! Go and support the Goddess Community in Scotland by paying a visit to the forthcoming Goddess Markets!” Those interested can now also join the Goddess Community In Scotland Facebook Group to keep up with goddess happenings in Scotland. Anyone interested in securing a space as a trader/vendor with the Goddess Markets can email the organizers. All markets will take place at the Wynd Centre in Paisley, Scotland.
In other news:
- Several prisons and jails in the U.K. are advertising for Pagan chaplains. The posted employment ad listed said: “The Pagan Chaplain will provide for the religious care of prisoners and staff in the Pagan faith tradition. The post holder must have the confidence and expertise to lead open ritual, officiate in Rites of Passage, and run workshops for mixed Pagan traditions within the prison system.” The prison system notes that 2,000 of its inmates identify with beliefs systems other than the six major faiths and that Paganism, including Wicca, Druidry and Odinism, are recognised by the Ministry of Justice.
- After the release of the Harry Potter video game, Hogwarts Legacy, gaming outlet KRITIQAL has created a curated collection magic-themed video games and other content from queer creators. The Trans Witches are Witches includes content from 56 contributors and is described as, “A bundle of witchcraft and wizardry without the transphobia, antisemitism, and alt-right grifters. Reject Hogwarts Legacy’s bigotry and support independent LGBTQ+ creators.” While JK Rowling was not directly involved in the creation of Hogwarts Legacy game, she will certainly profit from the game, and its release has reignited the controversy over her statements that have largely been seen as transphobic. The bundle is available for $60 via itch.io until February 24. So far, over 2900 people have contributed funds and the promotion has raised $185,240.29 of its $192,000.00 goal.
Saturday will be the second annual celebration of Moll Dyer Day in Leonardtown, Maryland. While first proclaimed in 2021 by Leonardtown mayor, Dan Burris, the day-long celebration of Moll Dyer Day was not held until last year in 2022 due to pandemic precautions.
Michael M. Hughes attended last year’s celebration and created a video travelogue that outlines the tale and accompanying folklore of Moll Dyer who was accused of practicing “witchcraft” in 1698, and after being burnt out of her home, froze to death in an attempt to escape the accusing villagers.
323 years after her tragic and senseless death, Moll Dyer is now celebrated and held up as an abject lesson against bullying and the harm it can cause.
Tarot of the week by Star Bustamonte
Deck: Modern Witch Tarot Deck, by Lisa Sterle, published by Sterling Ethos, Sterling Publishing Co, Inc.
Card: Four (4) of Swords
This week has the potential to be truly exhausting. Whether it is overtime at work, dealing with family and household issues, or something else, it’s liable to feel overwhelming. Pacing activities and knowing limits will be key this week.
Conversely, rest is on the horizon. Pushing too hard and doing too much eventually catches up to everyone. Knowing when to say, “No” and when to take a break will figure prominently.
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