Statement
April 21, 2023

UBCIC Remembers and Honours Dr. Gloria Cranmer Webster

((xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C. – April 21, 2023) The Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) wishes to acknowledge the passing of Dr. Gloria Cranmer Webster, and extend our deep, heartfelt condolences to her family, friends, loved ones, and community. She will be truly missed by those who were privileged to witness her passionate and tireless advocacy for the reclamation of First Nations culture, language, and traditions and her support and love for her family and community.

Dr. Cranmer Webster, daughter of Kwakwaka’wakw Chief Dan Cranmer, was born in Alert Bay, British Columbia on July 4, 1931. She was the first Indigenous person to be admitted into the University of British Columbia in 1956, where she graduated with a degree in Anthropology. Her passion in anthropology and cultural reclamation stemmed from a well known Potlatch ceremony in 1921 hosted by her father, where the federal government confiscated regalia and masks, among other ceremonial items in what became known as the Potlatch Collection at the National Museum of History. Her work as the Assistant Curator at UBC’s Museum of Anthropology to repatriate the Collection and house the items in the newly constructed U’mitsa Cultural Centre in her community, modelled a new pathway for museum curation and Indigenous reclamation. Dr. Cranmer Webster was also a language holder and worked with linguist, Dr. J. Powell to develop an orthography and a series of language books to help revitalize the Kwakwaka’wakw language.Dr. Cranmer Webster’s memory and extensive work will continue to live on in the many lives she touched, and we will continue to honour her voice and legacy.

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Media inquiries:

Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, President, 250-490-5314
Chief Don Tom, Vice-President, 604-290-6083
Chief Marilyn Slett, Secretary-Treasurer, 250-957-7721

UBCIC is an NGO in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.

For more information please visit www.ubcic.bc.ca

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