大象传媒

Scotland is to return a historic totem pole which has been in the country for almost a century after it was sold to the National Museum of Scotland by Canadian anthropologist Marius Barbeau.

The 36ft (11m), one-tonne totem pole is returning to the Nisga'a Nation, one of the indigenous groups in what is now known as British Columbia on the west coast of Canada.

However, Nisga'a researchers say it was stolen without consent while locals were away from their villages for the annual hunting season.

It's now going to be "rematriated" back to the matriarchal community where it's from. The totem, which features carved animals, human figures and family crests, tells the story of a Nisga'a warrior who was next in line to become chief before his death.

Dr Amy Parent is from the Nisga鈥檃 Nation and has travelled to the Scottish capital of Edinburgh for the ceremony to mark the artefact's homecoming. She told Newsday what the totem means for the community.

"It shares our family history... carved in honour of a great warrior."

(Pic: A totem of the Nisga鈥檃 Nation in Scotland due to be returned; Credit: 大象传媒)

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