Part of this includes examining work within the museum as well. She said the release of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's final report in 2015 played a role in empowering Indigenous communities to take a more assertive role in identifying objects that could be returned to them, and museums have become more responsive to those calls. Huaco added there has been a steady increase in repatriation requests, with the museum averaging about 20 requests per year. “Repatriation means genuinely turning these objects back over to the ownership of originating nation, which means that the museum doesn't dictate anything about the future care or display.” In some cases, museum employees may offer recommendations for how something can be stored or exhibited, but what is done with the items afterwards is entirely up to each individual community, said Huaco. The museum provided special packaging and carrying cases to ensure objects are safely transported. The family has been working with the museum since September 2022 on how best to return the items. Like many First Nations customs objects used in ceremony, the pipe cannot be photographed. The ceremonial pipe is dark in colour and made out of ceramic or stone. The museum said the item was sold to them in 1924. The saddle bag is made out of tan hide and adorned with beads in colours ranging from red, yellow and green. The museum acquired the two items nearly a century ago. “We want these events to be guided by the wishes of the nation,” she said in a phone interview following the ceremony. Valerie Huaco, deputy director of collections and research and chief innovation officer, said the museum has been doing repatriation work for 40 years but this event was unique because it was done with an audience at the request of the Poundmaker family. The family spoke of the significance of Poundmaker's contributions to present-day Canada. Wednesday's event included First Nations drumming and dancing as well as prayers from local Cree elders. The significance of being here and the honour it is to be able to bring these artifacts home. “I had a moment there where I couldn't hold back the tears. The special moment was sacred and emotional, she said. It was the first time she got to see the two items in person. Pauline Poundmaker travelled this week from Saskatchewan to Toronto with nine others, including other direct descendants, to partake in a repatriation ceremony with staff at the museum. Under Poundmaker Cree Nation laws, descendants are required to initiate and lead repatriation. “It's an honor to be the generation that's able to bring these artifacts home,” she said in a phone interview. Pauline Poundmaker, or Brown Bear Woman, has been leading efforts to repatriate her great-great-grandfather's belongings and sacred objects from collections held in Canada and internationally. The Toronto-based museum transferred a ceremonial pipe and a saddle bag that belonged to Chief Poundmaker back to members of his family on Wednesday. The Special Representative reaffirmed the Mission's commitment to continue to implement its mandate in the pursuit of peace and security in Mali.TORONTO - Century old artifacts belonging to a 19th century Plains Cree chief who was known as a peacekeeper were returned to his descendants in a repatriation ceremony at the Royal Ontario Museum. “Their role is crucial to the conduct of our operations”. “I salute the commitment of our Explosive Ordnance Disposal teams who put their lives at risk to preserve those of their colleagues and the civilian population,” he added. “This latest incident illustrates, once again, the complexity of the environment in which the Mission operates and of the security challenges it faces on a daily basis,” said Mr. Since the beginning of the year, several attacks involving IEDs have been recorded against MINUSMA uniformed personnel, which have killed a number of peacekeepers and injured others. Not the first IED attackĪt the same time, the UN Special Representative for Mali and MINUSMA head, El-Ghassim Wane, also firmly denounced the attack and extended his deepest condolences to the Government of the deceased peacekeeper and his family. “The Secretary-General reaffirms the solidarity of the United Nations with the people and authorities of Mali in their pursuit of peace and security,” the message concluded. He called on the Malian authorities to “spare no effort” in identifying the perpetrators so that they can swiftly be brought to justice. Guterres recalled that under international law, attacks targeting UN peacekeepers may constitute war crimes.
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