TERRACE, B.C. – A collaborative effort between police detachments has led to the successful return of a stolen, carved paddle to a Kitsumkalum family, bringing home a cherished piece of a late artist’s legacy.
The remarkable story began when a Vancouver Police Department detective, while investigating a string of property crimes, discovered a carved paddle at a house in Richmond. The detective, noticing enough information from words on the paddle to suggest it came from the Terrace area, contacted the Terrace RCMP detachment.
Terrace RCMP Constable Pat Tilma, who was at the time the detachment’s connection with the area’s Indigenous residents, took the call. After the Vancouver detective seemed satisfied and was about to hang up, Tilma said, “wait a minute, send me a picture.” That simple request set off a local investigation that led him to the Wesley family of Kitsumkalum.
“I received amazing support from Kitsumkalum in confirmation of its origin along with the information to confirm it had been stolen,” Tilma said. He discovered that the paddle had been taken several years ago during a residential break-in that was not reported to police.
Further information received revealed that the paddle was a piece of artwork by the late Richard Wesley, who had carved it while a student at the Freda Diesing School of Northwest Coast Art. The emotional significance of the find was immense for the family.
“The beautiful significance is that the late Richard Wesley is survived by a spouse and three children that have since longed for a piece of his artwork,” said Tilma. “It was such an honour and privilege to be part of handing this amazing piece of art to his son Richard Wesley Jr. and watch his face light up with joy.”
While it remains a mystery how the paddle traveled to the Lower Mainland, its return was a moment of deep personal and cultural importance, welcomed by the Wesley family with a blessing.
Constable Tania Visintin of the Vancouver Police Department confirmed that the paddle was found during a search warrant related to a crime group, but was an unrelated find. For the Wesley family, however, it was a profound and unexpected reunion with a piece of their history.
