Proposed bill would create strategy for Indigenous cultural artifacts
Posted Feb 6, 2018 04:30:22 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
A visit to the Millbrook Cultural and Heritage Centre inspired a Nova Scotia MP to introduce a private member's bill.
Bill Casey saw a beautiful Mi'kmaq robe on display behind a glass case, then found out it was a replica when the centre's operations supervisor, Heather Stevens, told the Cumberland-Colchester MP that the real one is in Australia.
“It's being well cared for and everything, but nobody can see it,” Casey said on NEWS 95.7's The Rick Howe Show. “I just think our Aboriginal culture is so rich and I think it's so important, especially for the young people, to see it.”
He has introduced Bill C-391, the Aboriginal Cultural Property Repatriation Act, which asks the government to develop a national strategy to help Indigenous groups reaquire cultural property.
“To make it front of mind, and also to make sure we have the resources, not just to store artifacts, but to display them,” he explained.
“It's an incredible, rich culture that we should be celebrating.”
Casey said this particular robe was bought by a Canadian in 1843 from a Mi'kmaq artisan. He moved to Australia, then left it to the Melbourne Museum when he died. The MP said there are also many Mi'kmaq artifacts in the U.S. and in England.
