Alberta provincial legislation
First Nations Sacred Ceremonial Objects Repatriation Act Citation RSA 2000, c. F-14 Assented to by 2000 Bill citation Bill 2 Introduced by Pearl Calahasen Status: In force
The First Nations Sacred Ceremonial Objects Repatriation Act is an act of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta relating to the repatriation of certain sacred ceremonial objects.
History
Initial repatriation efforts in Alberta arose from a controversial museum exhibition, which was entitled “The Spirit Sings”.[ 1]
Provision
The legislation mandates the return of certain sacred ceremonial objects by the Royal Alberta Museum and the Glenbow Museum .[ 2] [ 3]
Further developments
In 2022, certain sacred ceremonial objects were returned to the Siksika Nation after being stored in the Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery in Exeter, England for 144 years.[ 4]
In 2017, there were negotiations to expand it to the expand it to include the Plains Cree, Assiniboine and Saulteaux in Alberta and Saskatchewan.[ 2]
Amendments
The act was amended by the First Nations Sacred Ceremonial Objects Repatriation Amendment Act in 2008.[ 5]
References
^ Tünsmeyer, Vanessa (2022). "Repatriation of Sacred Indigenous Cultural Heritage and the Law" . Studies in Art, Heritage, Law and the Market . doi :10.1007/978-3-030-89047-6 . ISSN 2524-7425 . ^ a b Lederman, Marsha (July 8, 2017). "For Haida, this wooden chest holds the promise of reunion with Indigenous treasures" . The Globe and Mail Archived from the original on July 5, 2020. Retrieved May 1, 2025 . ^ Griwkowsky, Catherine (May 9, 2018). "Bigstone Cree repatriating objects from Royal Alberta Museum" . Toronto Star Archived from the original on May 1, 2025. Retrieved May 1, 2025 . ^ Gervais, Brittany (May 20, 2022). "Sacred items returned to Siksika Nation after 144 years in U.K. museum" . Calgary Herald . Archived from the original on May 21, 2022. Retrieved May 1, 2025 . ^ Fisher, Darlene (May 7, 2012). "Repatriation Issues in First Nations Heritage Collections" . Journal of Integrated Studies . 3 (1). ISSN 2816-3001 .
