Wolf Headdress

Item number Nb11.200 from the MOA: University of British Columbia.

Public

Item Records

This page shows all the information we have about this item. Both the institution that physically holds this item, and RRN members have contributed the knowledge on this page. You’re looking at the item record provided by the holding institution. If you scroll further down the page, you’ll see the information from RRN members, and can share your own knowledge too.

The RRN processes the information it receives from each institution to make it more readable and easier to search. If you’re doing in-depth research on this item, be sure to take a look at the Data Source tab to see the information exactly as it was provided by the institution.

These records are easy to share because each has a unique web address. You can copy and paste the location from your browser’s address bar into an email, word document, or chat message to share this item with others.

This item is culturally sensitive and images of it can not be shown. More information

Data
Data Source

This information was automatically generated from data provided by MOA: University of British Columbia. It has been standardized to aid in finding and grouping information within the RRN. Accuracy and meaning should be verified from the Data Source tab.

Description

Wolf headdress with bared teeth and carved ears. Cut-out crled horns(?) project at the top, and a series of u-shaped designs project from the back of the head. Carved with great detail but the surface is now rough and weathered. Red and black paint are still visible.

History Of Use

Used as a grave marker; traditionally removed after four years by the family to show that a memorial potlatch was being planned.

Iconographic Meaning

According to Ron Hamilton this headdress is called 'Tik'tik-milth or Wolf Spinning in Alternate Directions.

Narrative

Collected by Edith Bevan Cross. Originally (with A9184) placed on a post at a grave in Ahousat in 1961. (A photograph exists of them in situ in 1962). Presumably removed from the site in 1965 along with two other masks that are now in the collection of the Glenbow Museum in Calgary (AA438-39). The headdress was identified by Kaamiina of Aahuusath as part of a pair that, along with the masks, were found together at a gravesite.