THE TILLEY TIKI

: : Finding the vestiges of vintage Polynesian kitsch in Ontario is tough—there is nothing left in the way of bars, restaurants or motels. Like the hipster bar Sutra, all Tiki in Ontario are recent additions to the landscape—or are they? : :

: : One of the few examples of Tiki in the province is the giant Moai at the Tilley Endurables head office and flagship store, located in northern Toronto. Tilley’s makes all types of travel clothing but is best known for its original item: its “guaranteed indestructible or we replace it” canvas hat. While en route to the site, I wondered why a Canadian company would choose to have a giant Easter Island head at its front entrance. I had heard that founder Alex Tilley had once visited the Pacific island and, as the company is known first and foremost for their hats, maybe he thought a giant head was the most appropriate icon for his store. : :

: : When I arrived to view the sculpture, I quizzed the staff about its origins. They were tight-lipped about the statue and I felt as though I was being given the run-around. But being an intrepid journalist, I went back under the cover of darkness and ransacked the office. Finally, in the back of a cabinet, I found a press release dated 1987. : :

: : …the portion [the Tiki] so far unearthed has convinced the two experts consulted – Dr. Cuyler Young, Director of the Royal Ontario Museum and Dr. James Parr, Director of the Ontario Science Centre – that it is unmistakeably a “Long Ears,” the descriptive name given by the anthropologists to the Easter Island sculptures. Doctors Young and Parr are developing theories as to how the almost 17’ high head could have found its way to this particular patch of land, and will be happy to share those theories with anyone who may wish to view its excavation… : :

: : Hmm… this was mysterious. Although I had studied under the illustrious but cantankerous Dr. Young while achieving my archaeology degree only a couple of years after the Tiki was unearthed, he had never mentioned it. Did the press conference ever take place? Was Dr. Young forced into silence? He had always been quite a longwinded professor and I found it hard to believe that he would not talk about this amazing find. Why wouldn’t the discovery of a Moai here in Canada be celebrated? But who would benefit from such a cover-up? I would soon find out. : :

: : The next day I did a bit of my own digging, coming up with nothing. However, it seems my efforts did not go unnoticed. Later in the day, an envelope, with a slight fragrance of coconut milk, was shoved under my door. Inside were two photocopied drawings. The first was the well known drawing, by C.W. Jefferys, of the French explorer Champlain viewing the Ontario landscape for the first time while natives stand in attendance. The second showed a totally different version of the event… : :

: : I was astounded. Were Canada’s original inhabitants actually migrants from Easter Island? This evidence could destroy all current aboriginal land claims and put some excellent casinos in jeopardy. Did the aboriginal community put the screws to Tilley and the scientists in order to ensure their land claims? The secretiveness of the Tilley staff and Dr. Young now made perfect sense. It may also explain the lack of Polynesian and Tiki culture in general in Canada, as the natives continue their attempts to hide the truth. : :

: : The Tilley Tiki is located outside the front entrance at 900 Don Mills Road, at the corner of Barber Green in Toronto, Ontario. : :

: : The truth is out there. : :

Jo Bradley © 2005

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