A new exhibition opening at the Peterborough Museum & Archives on Saturday (April 22) will feature Indigenous birch baskets gifted to the Prince of Wales in 1860 that are returning for a visit to their ancestral lands in Nogojiwanong-Peterborough.
In 1860, His Royal Highness Albert Edward, Prince of Wales — the eldest son of Queen Victoria who was heir apparent for almost 60 years until he became King in 1901 — toured North America. During a stop at Rice Lake village (now Hiawatha First Nation) on September 7, 1860, Michi Saagiig women presented him with gifts of quilled birch bark baskets called ‘wiigwaasii makakoons’ (pronounced ‘weeg-wah-see mah-ka-coons’).
Through a partnership between Hiawatha First Nation, the Mississauga Nation, the Peterborough Museum & Archives, and Royal Collection Trust, 13 of the makakoons will be on exhibition at the Peterborough Museum & Archives from April 22 to November 19, 2023.
The exhibit, called ‘To Honour and Respect: Gifts from the Michi Saagiig Women to the Prince of Wales, 1860’, will explore the cultural knowledge, love, respect, and diplomacy that went into the makakoons.
The makakoons are on loan from Royal Trust Collection in England, which cares for the Royal Collection and also manages the public opening of the official residences of His Majesty King Charles III. Since 1860, the makakoons have been part of the Royal Trust Collection and housed at Osborne House on the Isle of Wight.
“Hiawatha First Nation and the Mississauga Nation communities are coming together to welcome these Ancestors home for a visit,” says Chief Laurie Carr of Hiawatha First Nation in a media release. “We know that the makakoons have the names of women makers attached, and there are descendants of these women in our First Nations.”
Peterborough Museum & Archives will provide a safe and accessible home for the ancestral items while they are in Canada, with Hiawatha First Nation leading all associated programming, such as workshops on quillwork provided by Hiawatha First Nation artist Sandra Moore and the Michi Saagiig language provided by Curve Lake member Jonathan Taylor.
“While the Ancestors are with us on Michi Saagiig Territory, the Peterborough Museum & Archives will create space for everyone to visit, and we will share knowledge about this art through viewing, workshops, and language classes,” Chief Carr explains. “We will sit with the Ancestors and acknowledge their spirits and what they have to teach us. Each of the makakoons will add to our cultural knowledge and strength as Michi Saagiig Peoples.”
The exhibition has been made possible in part by the Government of Canada, the Canada Council for the Arts, the Ontario Arts Council, the Peterborough Museum & Archives, and the City of Peterborough, and with the support of the Mississauga Nations, including Mississaugas of the Credit, Mississaugas of Alderville, Mississaugas of Scugog Island, Mississauga First Nation, Curve Lake First Nation, and Hiawatha First Nation.
“Royal Collection Trust is delighted to exhibit this group of gifts presented to the future King Edward VII during the landmark first royal meeting with the Michi Saagiig in 1860,” says Rachel Peat, curator of decorative arts at Royal Collection Trust.
“Since then, these outstanding works of art have been displayed within the royal residences as a symbol of relations between Mississauga Nation communities and the Crown. Today, this project offers an important opportunity to reconnect with Michi Saagiig knowledge holders and affirm links with this community.”
An exhibition opening will take place from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 22nd at Peterborough Museum & Archives (300 Hunter St. E., Peterborough). Themed crafts will be set up in the multi-purpose classroom for children and adults. Admission is by voluntary donation.
This story has been updated with official photos from the Royal Collection Trust.
