Sacred headdress housed by Manitoba museum returned to Long Plain First Nation

A repatriation ceremony held this week marked the return of a sacred headdress held by a Canadian museum to its Tribe.

The Fort la Reine Museum in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba was entrusted with the headdress by former Long Plain First Nation Chief Dennis Meeches, with the intention of ensuring its care and preservation. Now, the headdress will be on display at the National Indigenous Residential School Museum.

The museum held the headdress for more than 40 years. In a statement, it says that “institutions carry a responsibility to care for belongings that were separated from Indigenous families and Nations—and that responsibility includes returning them so they may continue their spiritual and cultural purpose.”

Worn by Chief Frank Merrick and later by his son, Chief Angus Merrick. Earlier this year, family members, Randy Merrick, grandson of the latter, and leadership from the National Indigenous Residential School Museum of Canada worked together to confirm the headdress’s history using old photographs and records.

“We are grateful to have witnessed this meaningful moment. The headdress will now be on display at the National Residential School Museum, where its story and significance can continue to be shared,” the museum posted in a statement posted to Facebook.