Repatriation
Osoyoos Indian Band Elder qÊ·ayxnmitkÊ· Jane Stelkia
and her painting from when she was a child attending the Nk'mip Day School in the 1930's-40's was repatriated in 2024.
A photo from the unveiling of the painting with the General Manager of the Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre cnúk Jenna Bower, the artist qÊ·ayxnmitkÊ· Jane Stelkia and her daughter Dora Stelkia.
What is Repatriation?
Repatriation is the process of returning sacred belongings, artifacts, and the remains of our ancestors that were taken from Indigenous communities. This happened to Indigenous communities everywhere, and these items are not just objects — they are an integral part of our culture, traditions, familial ties, ancestral knowledge and history.
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For many years, our cultural and personal belongings were removed and placed in museums and collections far from home. Bringing them back home helps us heal and strengthens our connection to our history.
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Here at the Nk'mip Desert Cultural Centre, we are proud to have a World-Class A Repository. This secure, temperature and humidity-controlled space is designed to protect and house these important belongings. We can also assist other Indigenous communities in safely and temporarily housing their belongings, ensuring they are stored and cared for in a way that honors their significance, until they can be returned to their home.
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Repatriation is about respect, healing, and restoring what was lost. Our facility is here to help bring these sacred pieces of history and identity back home, for today, for our ancestors and for future generations.
Steps of Repatriation
with Nk'Mip Desert Cultural Centre
01
Finding a belonging
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Did you find an artifact while hiking?
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Did you inherit artifacts from family?
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Did you discover items in your attic?
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Did you find artifacts during construction?
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Did you uncover objects in an archaeological dig?
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Did you find items after a flood or on a shoreline?
03
Contact Us
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Compose the Email: introduce yourself and purpose of the email
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Provide details about the artifact(s) and their history.
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Attach the photos you've taken.
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Ask if there is any additional information needed.
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Email: jbower@oib. ca
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Once received, Jenna will provide further guidance on the repatriation process.
05
Intake & Condition Reporting
Once the belonging(s) are entrusted to the Nk'mip Desert Cultural Centre, they are cared for by our trained staff who follow meticulous preservation protocols. We ensure each item is properly cleaned, using specialized techniques, and placed in custom, acid-free protective boxes for safekeeping in our Class A Repository. Detailed condition reports are created to track the item’s state and history.
02
Collect Information & Documentation
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Ask family members about the artifact’s history: How did it come into their possession? How long have they had it?
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Find out if it was stored safely or left out in the elements.
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Take clear photos from all angles, both for your own record and for repatriation documentation.
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Remember, the story of the belonging is just as important as the belonging itself.
04
Arrange Hands-On Delivery or Pickup
Hand delivery or pick-up is preferred over shipping for several key reasons:​
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Size & Costs: Large or delicate items are costly to ship and harder to pack; hand delivery is safer and avoids extra costs.
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Damage Risk: Shipping increases potential for damage; hand delivery ensures careful transport and immediate inspection.
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Respect: Hand delivery shows respect for the artifact, ensuring it’s treated with the proper care.
06
Limlemt - Thankyou
Thank you for your invaluable contribution to the repatriation of Indigenous belongings. Your efforts are an essential part of the broader Truth and Reconciliation process, helping to restore what was once taken and healing the wounds of history and colonialism. We deeply appreciate your commitment to honoring and returning these sacred items to their rightful place, where they can be visited and shared with the community, fostering a deeper understanding and respect for Indigenous cultures and their enduring legacy.
Call to Action #43 of the 94 Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) of Canada
"We call upon the federal government, in collaboration with Indigenous peoples, to fully adopt and implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as the framework for reconciliation, and to work with Indigenous peoples to ensure the protection, preservation, and repatriation of Indigenous cultural property."
