b'REPATRIATIONHEADING HOMEBy Anna-Liza BadalooWhy repatriating Indigenous art, sacred objects and human remains is a powerful part of reconciliationI n recent years, the move to repatriateStill, it is not easy for Indigenous communities to Indigenous art, sacred objects and humanfind out which of their items are being held captive remains has been gaining ground, espe- by museums. The legislative patchwork, combined cially as people become more aware ofwith colonial attitudes from governments and the sheer volume of Indigenous artifacts heldmuseums, can create barriers to the repatriation by museums worldwide. By 2019, Canadianprocess itself. As a result, it is not only about the Heritage institutions alone were in possession of anreturn of artifacts and human remains to their astonishing 6.5 million cultural artifacts and 2,000rightful owners. Repatriation can have a broader ancestral remains.impact in supporting Indigenous sovereignty, Yet, there is no federal law in Canada that governsmoving reconciliation forward, and beginning to Indigenous repatriation. The only repatriation actredress centuries of injustice. in the entire country is Albertas First Nations SacredShe is Wise recently sat down with Anita Tenasco and Ceremonial Objects Repatriation Act. However,of Kitigan Zibi (Anishinabe Algonquin Nation), several museums have their own repatriation poli- to discuss how repatriating human remains built cies, including the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM)capacity within her community, strengthened ties to and the Canadian Museum of History, as dothe land, and deepened engagement with others in universities in Ontario, Alberta and B.C.the Algonquin Nation and beyond.44Fall/Winter 2022'