Where the Power Is:Indigenous Perspectives on Northwest Coast Artis a landmark volume that brings together over eighty contemporary Indigenous knowledge holders with extraordinary works of historical Northwest Coast art, ranging from ancient stone tools to woven baskets to carved masks and poles to silver jewellery. First Nations Elders, artists, scholars, and other community members visited the Museum of Anthropology at the University of British Columbia to connect with these objects, learn from the hands of their ancestors, and share their thoughts and insights on how these belongings transcend the category of art or artifact to embody vital ways of knowing and being in the world. Texts by the authors sketch the provenance of the objects, and, in dialogue with the commentators, engage in critical and necessary conversations around the role of museums that hold such collections.

The voices within are passionate, enlightening, challenging, and humorous. The commentators speak to their personal and family histories that these objects evoke, the connections between tangible and intangible culture, and how this art remains part of Northwest Coast Indigenous peoples ongoing relationships to their territories and political governance. Accompanied by over 300 contemporary and historical photographs, this is a vivid and powerful document of Indigenous experiences of reconnection, reclamation, and return.

ByKaren Duffek, Bill McLennan, Jordan Wilson
Edited by Michael Leyne

Contributions by LiyaamlaxhaLeonard Alexcee, Goldm NitskWii GandooxMona Alexcee, WidiimasPeter Alexcee, KodalagalisByron Alfred, SkwiixtaKaren Anderson, ChaudaquockVera Asp, Don Bain, Stan Bevan, Jo Billows, Dempsey Bob, Raymond Boisjoly, NaxshageitAlison Bremner, WkasIrene Brown, TaakeitGaayaaCorey Bulpitt, Vanessa Campbell, JisgangNika Collison, NalagaDonna Cranmer, Gloria Cranmer Webster, Joe David,Guud san glansRobert Davidson, WalasGwayamBeau Dick, IdtaawganMervin Dunn, Sharon Fortney, Yil Ya-TseenNicholas Galanin, qiyplenxwHoward E. Grant, syqLarry Grant, tawtna:tWendy Grant-John, MusiinPhil Gray, TuutkRobin R.R. Gray, Wii GwinaaHenry Green, seclenxwMorgan Guerin, Haayuups, KC (Kelsey) Hall, Ji:mtmHarold Harry, qoqwssukwtKatelynn Harry, 7idansuuJames M. Hart, YaYa Heit, Kwakwabalasamayi HamasakaAlan Hunt, Corrine Hunt, TaliilaogwaSarah Hunt, Tsm Igharas, Pearl Innis, Hahl YeeDoreen Jensen, KwankwanxwaligiRobert Joseph, kwskwestnJames Kew, Gigaemi Kukwits, Peter Morin, Nugwam MaxwiyalidziKodi Nelson, TayagilaogwaMarianne Nicolson,GwimolasRyan Nicolson, Jaad KuujusKwaxhilagaMeghann OBrien, XimiqDionne Paul, A-nii-sa-putTim Paul, XwelqwiyaRena Point Bolton, OqwilowgwaKim Recalma-Clutesi, Skeena Reece, NusiIan Reid, Greg A. Robinson, Sit KwunsIsabel Rorick, Maximus (Max) Savey, Anaht pi ya tuukSheila Savey, Linda Smith, Xsim GanaawLaurel Smith Wilson, liwlwtDebra Sparrow, slisyeLeona Sparrow, Wedidi Speck, Marika Echachis Swan, Simoogit Gawaakhl of Wilps LuuyaasNorman Tait, SnxakilaClyde Tallio, Nakkita Trimble, Xsmdas WaakasTed Walkus, NuuwagawaEvelyn Walkus Windsor, HiamasWilliam Wasden, Jr., TsamiianbaanWilliam White, Tania Willard, SkiljadayMerle Williams,Gid7ahl-Gudsllaay LalaxaaygansTerri-Lynn Williams-Davidson, TabalisameTalisMikael (Mike) Willie, Lyle Wilson, Nathan Wilson, and Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas.

372pages
10 x 12inches
ISBN 9781773270517
Hardcover
Museum of Anthropology and Figure 1 Publishing
2021