After 135 years, a sacred wooden pipe that belonged to Chief Whitecap has returned to Whitecap Dakota First Nation, as shared by Frank Royal. The pipe was given to a Saskatoon doctor by Chief Whitecap during the Riel Rebellion era. Following the doctor’s testimony that acquitted the chief, he was gifted the pipe on his deathbed in 1889. The pipe remained with the doctor’s family until they recently initiated its return to the First Nation after learning about Indigenous item repatriation efforts.
Whitecap Dakota First Nation’s Coun. Frank Royal facilitated the repatriation ceremony in Ottawa, bringing the pipe back to the community for safekeeping and display. This act is part of a broader trend where Indigenous communities in Canada are reclaiming cultural items, including significant artifacts held at the Vatican Museums gifted for return on December 6.
Roberta Bear, the principal of Charles Red Hawk Elementary School, emphasized the importance of repatriating items to preserve traditions and educate the youth. Whitecap Dakota First Nation has seen the return of several ceremonial pipes and a collection of turn-of-the-century artifacts, including regalia and beadwork, thanks to efforts by families like the Charmburys, who handed over their valuable collection to the community.
Stephanie Danyluk from the Canadian Museums Association highlighted the rarity of such well-preserved items and stressed the significance of returning cultural artifacts to Indigenous communities. This gesture acknowledges the rights of Indigenous peoples to safeguard and uphold their heritage.
Frank Royal advised other Indigenous communities potentially undergoing repatriation processes to collaborate with local museums for item processing and storage. Following proper protocols for ceremonies and ensuring secure storage facilities are crucial steps in the repatriation journey.