Roberta Fiorina: The Role of Indigenous Art in Ethnogenetic Processes. The Totem Pole of Masset, Haida Gwaii, 29–41

Abstract

Throughout the last seven decades the First Nations of the Northwest Coast, Canada, have been involved in an art-driven process of identity re-definition and socio-cultural transformation. Following the artistic revival of the 1970s, many other Indigenous cultural elements silenced by colonialism were restored and brought back to life. The present study aims to reflect on the dynamics underlying the role played by Northwest Coast Native art in the rethinking of people’s way of living their indigeneity in the XX and XXI centuries. The analysis of the phenomenon will be facilitated by presenting the case study of the totem pole of Masset, Haida Gwaii, and the involvement of the Haida artist who created it, Robert Davidson. This episode, particularly pertinent to the examination of the socio-cultural phenomenon hereby discussed, will be a starting point for further considerations on the ethnogenetic role of art.

[North America, Northwest Coast, Indigenous art, Robert Davidson, totem pole, ethnogenesis, revitalization movement, decolonization]