Nearly 50 years after artist Nick Howard sold his newly carved mask to a visiting American tourist, an elderly brother has made the decision to give the mask back.
Peter Burr, 80, of Seattle said he was given the beautiful mask from his older brother about 10 years ago.
“Now I am 80 years old, and, before I meet MY Maker, I wished to give it back to ITS maker!” Burr wrote in an email to Ha-Shilth-Sa.
According to Burr, his older brother, John Terry Burr, took several trips to British Columbia and Alaska during the 1980s, enjoying the natural beauty. During his journeys, he purchased three carvings. One came directly from artist Nick Howard of Mowachaht/Muchalaht. Included in the email was a photograph of young Nick Howard working on the mask.
“But I was deeply saddened to learn Nick Howard had passed away,” said Peter Burr.
Getting on in years, the elder John Burr gave three masks to his younger brother as he was downsizing his home. Thinking along the same lines a decade later, Peter Burr tried to find a suitable home for the masks so that they can bring the same joy that the two brothers had for the art.
“I have really enjoyed this mask!” said Peter Burr. “It reminds me, a white man, of the beautiful, wild, untamed spirit that resides deep within each of us!”
He recalled his visits to Vancouver Island.
“I have deeply enjoyed your stunning land, by hiking the unforgettable West Coast Trail, eating hamburgers at Chez Marie, and an awesome fresh crab dinner cooked for us before we took the water taxi across the Nitinaht Narrows,” he shared.
Peter Burr first thought of donating the pieces to American and Canadian museums, but they had conditions that Burr believed would not ensure that the carvings would wind up in storage and away from public enjoyment.
Afraid the masks would end up never seeing the light of day again, Burr decided to locate the artists and send the works back to those that would appreciate their beauty.
One mask has gone back to Alaska and the other to the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council, where Nick Howard’s mask was delivered to a surviving family member.
“When I shipped it back to his people I sent a little piece of my heart with it…but it was time for it to go home,” Burr wrote. “I have returned Mr. Howard’s mask to you, his amazing tribe, his people, in memory of, and as a tribute to this fine artist!”
Now in his 80s, Peter Burr says he has survived serious health issues and has had major heart surgeries.
“Before I meet my Maker, I wished to return these beautiful creations to the public domain, to be released forever from the private collections of white people,” he wrote.
Burr said a quick internet search of the artists helped him locate contact information for the respective First Nation administrations. According to Burr, they were happy to receive the masks.
“I have deeply enjoyed the privilege of living with these masks – they are so intense, they do seem to have a living presence!” he added.
He wants to return the masks while he is still able, back to their makers and their people.
Peter Burr says his older brother John is now in his 90s.
“The returning of these lovely treasures has brought, both me and my brother, great happiness. Thank you!” he wrote.
