Description
Indigenous Repatriation Handbook was prepared by Jisgang Nika Collison, Sdaahl K'awaas Lucy Bell and Lou-ann Neel for the Royal BC Museum and the Haida Gwaii Museum at Ḵay Llnagaay. The Indigenous Repatriation Handbook is based on the extensive experience and reflections of the collaborators who have walked between their Indigenous worlds and mainstream museum worlds. They are hopeful that this era of reconciliation involves repatriation and creating meaningful relationships between museums and Indigenous communities. The handbook outlines practical information, processes, policies and practices for Indigenous language and cultural groups to carry out the process of repatriation. The Indigenous Repatriation Handbook is a reference guide to align repatriation with cultural traditions for the province of British Columbia and the 34 unique Indigenous language and cultural groups but also of interest at a national and international level. The Handbook was created by and for Indigenous peoples working in repatriation. There are seven parts with a topic, brief overview, background and historical information about the topic, current information and online links related to each topic. Part 1 introduces the historical context of repatriation; Part 2 refers to organizing a successful repatriation; part 3 is about conducting research and includes planning and researching repatriation; part 4 discusses repatriation from the Royal BC Museum while part 5 is on repatriating from other museums around the world. Part 6 is about institutions wishing to repatriate to Indigenous Peoples in BC initiated by museums. Part 7 is a case study of the Haida Nation. Each part also includes statements by representatives of museums on the topic under discussion. The appendices include a Glossary of Terms, Indigenous Museums and Cultural Centres in Canada, organizational templates, procedures and examples, fundraising resources, sample letters to museums, tips for planning for travel and transport, global museums with major Indigenous collections from BC, resources on education in Indigenous museology, FAQs, and Repatrication Success Stories. There is a message from Sdaahl K'awaas Lucy Bell, Professor Jack Lohman, CEO of the Royal BC Museum and Tracey Herbert, CEO of First Peoples' Cultural Council.