The approximate area in Medicine Hat where Indigenous remains were discovered and sent to the Museum of Osteology at the University of Alberta, March 13, 2023. (Photo: CHAT News Today)

By Brendan Miller

Indigenous ancestor remains to be returned to Medicine Hat

Mar 14, 2023 | 1:57 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Indigenous ancestor remains that have been in a museum will soon be returned to their original resting place in Medicine Hat.

The City of Medicine Hat is working with the Miywasin Friendship Centre and the University of Alberta to bring the remains back to be reburied in a respectful manner.

The remains of three people and associated burial artifacts have been held in the Museum of Osteology at the University of Alberta since 1967 after they were uncovered in the Medicine Hat area.

On Tuesday, March 14, 2023, the City of Medicine Hat launched The Ancestors Reburial Project website to highlight the details of the project.

Leah Prestayko, Director of Community Development, said the next step is to support the Miywasin Friendship Centre while they consult with First Nations and Métis communities.

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“They’ll be consulting with the Indigenous community to understand how they best want to see the remains brought back to Medicine Hat and repatriate to ensure that we are upholding and following the cultural practices and traditions that are important to that community,” said Prestayko.

Prestayko said it is important for the city to uphold cultural practices and traditions when moving ancestral remains.

“We’ll be able to learn more about how the remains should be handled, how they should be transported, and how they should be repatriated, as well as what will it look like in the community in terms of a celebration of that project,” says Prestayko. “So what cultural traditions need to be abided by and take place so that those ancestors can be celebrated, brought back to the community and that the community can feel good about the process that’s been undertaken.”

The Miywasin Friendship Centre says the project will strengthen its ties with the city and the province.

A statement from the Miywasin Friendship Centre said, “Miywasin will take the lead in community engagement to better understand traditional burial practices from the First Nations and Métis communities in this region to inform the respectful reburial of these ancestors.”

“Together, we will bring education and awareness of our local and wider regional history, and the importance of Indigenous culture and traditions in healing and moving forward,” continues the statement.

The city plans to donate a space at Hillside Cemetery for the burial once the remains have been safely transported to Medicine Hat.

Consultations are expected to take place until April 2023.

READ MORE: Lethbridge News Now