The return of the first canoe to the Charlottes in over a hundred years. The event was the centre of a great celebration attended by chiefs of many West Coast nations, politicians, news media and Haida people. Lootaas was carved by Bill Reid and friends and exhibited at Expo 86 in Vancouver. It was then paddled from Vancouver to the Queen Charlotte Islands. The arrival was celebrated with songs and speeches on the beach and by a huge potlatch that night.

The figures illustrated were all participants in the event. Bill Reid himself stands in the prow of the canoe, a button blanket draped over his shoulders.