Canadian Museum of Civilization and Kitigan Zibi Algonquin community reach agreement to transfer human remains
Gatineau, QC, June 19, 2005 — At a symbolic ceremony beside the Kichi Sibi (Ottawa River), the Canadian Museum of Civilization agreed to transfer human remains and associated burial goods, such as beads, tools and weapons, to the Kitigan Zibi Algonquin community on behalf of the Algonquin First Nations, many decades after they were excavated by archaeologists. The transfer is the successful culmination of two years of negotiations between the Museum and Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg, located near Maniwaki, Quebec. Representatives of Kitigan Zibi and the Museum praised the spirit of respect and collaboration that made a positive outcome possible.
“It is the Museum’s continuing commitment to knowledge and research on Canadian history and culture, balanced by respect for the first peoples of Canada that have concluded in today’s announcement to repatriate these ancient remains to the Aboriginal people of this area,” said Dr. Stephen Inglis, Director General of Research and Collections at Canadian Museum of Civilization.
“We are pleased that the Museum and its Board of Trustees have responded positively to our request for repatriation. These remains of our ancestors belong back in Mother Earth on traditional Algonquin land from which they were recovered,” said Gilbert Whiteduck, who spoke on behalf of the Kitigan Zibi community. “Our community and the Museum worked in respect to achieve a unity of purpose that we hope will continue to bring benefits to our community and the Museum.”
The ceremony included the signing of a repatriation document and the exchange of gifts.
According to the wishes of the Kitigan Zibi community and with the full co-operation of the Museum, the remains have been packed and bundled by Algonquin community elders. The remains will be reburied in a private community ceremony on the Kitigan Zibi reserve on June 21, National Aboriginal Day.
The Museum has also donated to the Kitigan Zibi community an exhibition called Kichi Sibi: Tracing Our Region’s Ancient History that showcases the rich and varied history of the Ottawa Valley. The artifacts in the exhibition range from many thousands to several hundreds of years old: ceramic cooking pots, pendants, and a range of tools and weapons made of copper, stone, bone and antler, that provide evidence of how Aboriginal people lived there for at least 8,000 years before the arrival of Europeans. Originally exhibited from June 2001 until December 2004 at the Canadian Museum of Civilization, it will go on display again next month at the new Kitigan Zibi Cultural Centre near Maniwaki, Quebec.
Media Information:
Chief, Media Relations
Canadian Museum of Civilization
Tel.: (819) 776-7167
Gilbert Whiteduck
Kitigan Zibi Anishinibeg
Tel.: (819) 449-1798
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