b'REPATRIATIONWhen asked about repatriating Indigenousfacilitators at the border in helping ourAs Tenasco recalls: Community members art, Swift smiles. Here too, differencesclaimant communities and providingexpressed how important this repatriation come into play. Art is not one of the fourthat escort, she notes. work was to our people in terms of healing, major categories of claim in the U.S., Swifttruth seeking, confirming our place in our explains. Its human remains, funeraryAs with Kitigan Zibi, Indigenous commun- territory, and telling non-Indigenous peoples objects, sacred objects, and objects ofities are concerned with the nuances of howaround us that weve been here since time cultural patrimony. As a Nation, you mayitems return home. In 2021, the NMAIimmemorial in our Anishinabeg Algonquin call it art. But these are defined categories.worked with the Siksika Nation to returntraditional unceded territory. It was incred-Theyre not thought of as art because ofa Prairie Chicken Society Headdress andibly valuable to reconciliation, although we their category definition. a Weather Dance Robe. The headdressdidnt use that word at the time.was accessioned into the Museum of That being said, Swift points to the strongthe American Indian in 1908 (collectorHow can Canadian museums decolonize role that the Canadian Indigenous Affairsunknown) and the Weather Dance Robetheir work? Be transparent and more Secretariat (under the Canada Borderwas acquired by William Wildschut fromcommunicative with Indigenous commun-Services Agency) plays in cross-borderYellow Old Woman (a noted Siksikaities. Advise us what objects and human repatriations. They have been hugeWeather Dancer) in 1924. remains are in museums and tell us how to get funding to build our research and repatriation capacity, offers Tenasco. We cant have our ancestors in storage cabinets Our strategic goal is the restoration andin museums. Were human beings, and our renewal of Indigenous midwifery in Indigenousancestors were human beings. communities.We advocate to increase access to midwiferyTenasco also sees an opportunity for care in Indi ur st nous communities that is nd lose tomuseums to present intergenerational O ge rategic goal is the restoration achome and rooted in Indigenous ways of knowinglearning opportunities. One legacy of resi-renewal of Indigenous midwifery in Indigenous communities.and doing and by working in close collaborationdential schools, day schools, the 60s Scoop with Indige eous l cate t ers, communiti to s andand foster care is the loss of language. First W n advo ead o increase accessemidwifery care in Indigenous communities that is close to stakeholders.home and rooted in Indigenous ways of knowinglanguages are so important in repatriation, and doing and by working in close collaborationconnecting with artifacts, and telling our We support communities in the development with Indigenous leaders, communities andstory in museums. Work in this area can of midwifery learning ecosystems and diverse stakeholders.educational pathways.help us revitalize our languages.We support communities in the development of midwifery learning ecosystems and diverse Together, we are re-awakening the practice ofTenasco also wants to see museums shift educational pathways. Indigenous midwifery and the promise of new life. their focus away from educating settlers to Together, we are re-awakening the practice of Indigenous midwifery and the promise of new life. supporting Indigenous capacity. Weve For more information contact:been sharing the land since contact, and Ellen Blais, Director or Indi e i enousonidwiferyweve suffered a lot of trauma. We are F , mor g nformati M contact: Ellen Blais, Director, Indigenous Midwifery ellen.blais@aom.on.ca ellen.blais@aom.on.caa very resilient people. But part of our Visit us online at: ontariomidwives.ca/indigenous-midwiferyVisit us online at: ontariomidwives.ca/indigenous-midwifery resiliency comes from reconnecting with Follow ss oFollow uu on n territory and land, she says. Reconnecting with artifacts and supporting us to tell our stories as we see fit in museums is key. With repatriation, we need to increase the under-standing and capacity of Nations.Settlers too have a role to play in repatria-tion. Tenasco suggests that non-Indigenous Create Your Quetico Wilderness Story people ask where the cultural items and human remains in museums came from and when, and really examine their history. Then, think about how Indigenous people feel about having the core part of their being housed in a non-Indigenous institution. Often the focus is on creating a show for non-Indigenous people. But these objects are not a show for us. They are so Canoe AdventuresOutfitting & RentalsFamily PackagesTours & Programs much more, stresses Tenasco. Lets startIsland GetawaysAmenities & Accommodations having conversations about this between Quetico Parks Premier Eco-Adventure Canoe Outfitter Since 1960 Indigenous peoples, non-Indigenous people and museums. More dialogues need to vwp.ca happen without consequences, while non-Indigenous people open their hearts andminds.50Fall/Winter 2022'