A professor from Saskatchewan uncovered a significant piece of the province’s history at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C. and is now facilitating its return home.
Andrew Miller, an Indigenous studies professor at the First Nations University of Canada, stumbled upon a stolen teepee cover from Kawacatoose First Nation in the Smithsonian’s collection while researching birds. The cover, taken during the 1920s, has been kept alive in memory by the family through generations.
Miller recalled a student’s mention of their family belongings in prominent U.S. museums, which sparked his interest in the Smithsonian’s catalogue. Within it, he found the teepee cover labeled as “Dustyhorn—File Hills” with an acquisition date of 1926, a name familiar to him from Touchwood, Sask. He promptly contacted Cory Dustyhorn, the current chief of Kawacatoose First Nation, to share his discovery.
Dustyhorn, aware of the story of his great-great-grandfather Sîpiskwêsîkan’s stolen teepee cover, confirmed the family’s account. Despite a promise of payment for the cover, it was never received.
Miller and Dustyhorn engaged with the museum, with Miller acknowledging the Smithsonian’s understanding and willingness to facilitate the repatriation process. Reflecting on past unethical practices, Miller noted the museum’s recognition that certain items should not be part of their collection due to historical ethical standards.
The Smithsonian confirmed the teepee cover’s return and emphasized the importance of ensuring it goes back to the rightful community. Dustyhorn shared a family narrative linking the teepee’s journey from Alaska to Saskatchewan, which aligned with the museum’s historical records, validating the oral history.
Acknowledging past wrongs, the Smithsonian issued a statement affirming its commitment to ethical practices and shared stewardship, aiming to rectify previous unethical acquisitions. The museum’s recent policy shift highlights its acknowledgment of changing ethical norms in artifact collection.
After a century since its theft, the teepee cover is set to reunite with its home community. Dustyhorn expressed the symbolic significance of the return in strengthening the connection between his ancestors, family, and the entire community. Plans are underway to establish a museum at Kawacatoose for displaying the teepee, with the interim arrangement placing it at the Royal Saskatchewan Museum in Regina.