b'REPATRIATIONThe Siksika wanted to pick up the items from the NMAI in the U.S. and escort them back to Alberta. The NMAI helped them work with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in the U.S., providingINDIGENOUS paperwork to identify them as human remains, and ensuring they were not openedINTERNSHIP or disturbed.PROGRAMWhen they returned to Canada, the Indigenous Affairs Secretariat staffThe first of its kind in Canada, performed a similar service, greatlythe Canadian Museum of impressing Swift. That level of customerHistory offers an Indigenous service, acknowledgement and respect sendsInternship Program. the message: these people are on official business. They are escorting these itemsThe program provides profes-back home to resume their place in societysional and technical training for and continue fulfilling that purpose forFirst Nations, Inuit andMtis the Nation. participants to develop ways for Indigenous Nations to represent RECONCILIATIONtheir own history and culture in Ultimately, repatriation can be a powerfulconcert with cultural institutions. expression of reconciliation. RepatriationSince 1993, the program has is really about restitution and reconciliation.trained people from over 40 Expecting communities to be healed afterIndigenous Nations, with repatriation is unrealistic and inappropriate,graduates becoming role models Swift says. Nobody gave their consent toand advocates in museum and be dug up. The process isnt perfect, but itscultural sectors. driving toward making amends for histor-ical wrongs.The ancestral burial site at Kitigan Zibipropelled the conversation and established that museums can no longer hide behind their walls. If they have collections, theyWorking to end violence are obliged to let tribes know, consult, andagainst women, children carry forward the repatriation process. and youth since 1975On the other hand, no national law means that Indigenous communities in Canada are not boxed in by a legislative frame- Kingston Interval House provides essential, work. For example, repatriation claimants in the U.S. may start by figuring out whatresponsive and empowering services to women, children category of claim their items fit into, simplyand youth who have experienced the impact of violence because that is how their law is written.against women. Our core services include emergency Swift recalls one repatriation with ashelter, transitional and outreach counselling services, Canadian Indigenous group that reallysecond-stage housing, public education, awareness and brought this point home. Before meetingprevention as well as community engagement.in person, Swift ensured they received and understood the relevant laws and policies. But the in-person meeting was not asContact us:successful as she had hoped. After the fact, I realized that we were talking past eachCrisis Line:613-546-1777 or 1-800-267-9445other. Embarrassingly, my own mindset played a role, admits Swift. They didntOffice:613-546-1833have the same mental parameters, becausewww.kingstonintervalhouse.comthat law doesnt exist. Some think having a law would be a good idea, and some dont. That would be for First Nations inKingston Interval House @KIHIntervalCanada to determinebut it does make it a challenge.Ontario Native Womens Association49'