A wooden altar that has been in a Cape Breton church for more than a century is now the subject of a bitter ownership dispute.
Mi’kmaq elders at the Potlotek First Nation in Chapel Island, N.S. say the altar was given to them by French missionaries in the late 18th century. According to legend, the altar was rescued during a British attack on a French fort.
“The natives took this from the church before it burned down and they hid it in the woods,” says Lillian Marshall, a Mi’kmaq historian who has been studying the history of the altar for years.
She says the altar was taken to Chapel Island, but it was later given or loaned to Fr. John MacDougall in Johnstown, N.S. in 1891.
“Somehow it was asked to be located here for safekeeping and it has been here ever since,” says Gail Johnson, a parishioner at Sacred Heart Church.
“The parishioners here, of course we love the altar, and it’s been here for all these years.”
But Mi’kmaq leaders say the altar was given to them centuries ago, and now they want it back.
“It’s been here long enough. We had it over 100 years before that, and they had it over 100 years,” says Potlotek First Nation Chief Wilbert Marshall.
He says it’s important for Mi’kmaq artifacts to be returned to First Nations communities.
An archaeologist with the Mi’kmaq Rights Initiative has assessed the piece and has determined that it is safe to move. But the assessment also found mold and mildew on the wood, and that has the chief concerned.
“Now it’s time for us to rescue it again, because if we leave it here, nobody’s going to have an altar,” says Chief Marshall.
“Before anything is moved, it definitely has to be determined what part of the altar stays and what part of the altar may go,” says Johnson.
Pieces have been added to the original altar over the years, and Johnson says she wants to ensure the artifacts end up where they belong. Lillian Marshall says that’s what she’s hoping for as well.
“I think a lot of people will be very happy to see it,” she says.
Chief Marshall says he would like to see the altar back in the Potlotek First Nation by spring.
With files from CTV Atlantic's Sarah Ritchie
