The First Peoples’ Cultural Council (FPCC) has released two landmark reports detailing the deep impacts of colonial theft and the path toward meaningful repatriation for First Nations in British Columbia.
The reports, From Stealing to Healing: Repatriation and B.C. First Nations and the Repatriation Cost Analysis: A Framework and Model, offer a sweeping account of the more than 2,500 ancestors and 100,000 cultural belongings from B.C. currently held in 229 institutions around the globe, and the long journey to bring them home.
“This research illustrates the scope of repatriation and the incredible amount of work still left to do,” said Karen Aird, the cultural council’s heritage manager. “Self-determined repatriation of lost belongings and ancestors is crucial for cultural revitalization.”
The reports draw from the lived experiences and strategies of 16 First Nations communities across B.C., combining hard data with powerful storytelling. They emphasize what communities have long known: healing begins when ancestors and cultural items are returned to their rightful places.
Cultural repatriation involves more than the return of objects. For many communities, it is an act of justice, healing, and self-determination, says the report. As Málágius Gerald Lawson, chair of the First Peoples’ Cultural Foundation, put it, “Communities reclaiming their cultural heritage on their own terms strengthens cultural, spiritual, physical and economic well-being.”
For the Gitxaała Nation, whose first repatriation occurred in April 2023, the return of a sacred totem pole and the ceremonial laying to rest of two ancestors reawakened cultural connections and traditional practices.
“It brought people together in a way not seen in years,” said Dustin Johnson, Gitxaała’s manager of Language and Culture.
But the process came at a great financial cost.
“Grants like those from FPCC are essential to sustaining the vital work of cultural reunification, healing, and community revitalization,” added Johnson.
Institutions such as the Royal BC Museum are grappling with their colonial histories and are now working with First Nations toward meaningful repatriation. The museum acknowledged that repatriation “is a vital part of addressing historic wrongs against Indigenous Peoples” and emphasized that “this is not simply a project or task, it is part of a broader commitment to justice and healing.”
However, challenges persist.
“Incomplete provenance information can make it difficult to trace the origins of belongings and how they were acquired,” a media spokesperson at the museum said.
Additionally, costs can be significant, including conservation treatments, transportation, and ceremonial requirements.
Still, the museum rejects the idea that repatriation reduces public access to Indigenous cultures.
“Repatriation offers an opportunity to raise public awareness about the historical harms caused by the removal of belongings without consent,” said the museum. “Community-run museums and cultural centres are the most meaningful places to learn in depth. We encourage visitors to visit these communities and learn directly from them.”
Collaborative approaches, such as co-curation and safekeeping agreements, are increasingly common, according to the Royal BC Museum.
“Some communities choose to have belongings physically returned, while others ask us to care for the belongings while legal ownership is transferred. We honour and support these decisions through open dialogue,” stated the museum.
The Repatriation Cost Analysis provides a practical tool for communities to plan their repatriation projects, offering flexible models based on real-life examples. But, as FPCC CEO Tracey Herbert stressed, “First Nations–led repatriation is a moral and ethical imperative to mitigate historical and ongoing cultural appropriation.”
To support this work, Málágius Gerald Lawson of the First Peoples’ Cultural Foundation called for long-term investment: “These investments in Indigenous-led organizations help create safer and more impactful repatriation efforts and ensure lasting change for generations to come.”
The reports conclude with a clear message: repatriation requires not only funding but also legislative change, infrastructure, and an unwavering commitment to Indigenous leadership.
As the title of FPCC’s report reminds us, this is not just about returning what was taken. It is about restoring what was broken. It is about moving from stealing to healing.
To read the full reports or to learn more, visit www.fpcc.ca or contact info@fpcc.ca
For information on the Royal BC Museum’s repatriation work, visit www.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca
