This piece is a press release I wrote for the Tahltan Nation, explaining how they are calling on the Royal BC Museum to return cultural artifacts that rightfully belong to their community. Despite repeated appeals, no timeline has been given. Sandra Marion, Director of Cultural and Heritage, leads the fight to reclaim these items, emphasizing Indigenous rights to their own history.
The Tahltan Nation embarks on a journey to reclaim its past, calling upon the museum community to restore ancestral heritage to its rightful home.
Northern British Columbia, Canada – March 16th, 2024
The Tahltan Nation, situated in Norther British Columbia near Dease Lake, demands the restoration of their cultural heritage. Tahltan artifacts, items that rightfully belong within the Tahltan governance and should be accessible to its people, are currently being held by the Royal BC Museum (RBCM). Despite repeated appeals, the Royal BC Museum has yet to provide a timeline or any assurances regarding the repatriation of these invaluable historical artifacts.
The absence of these artifacts not only leaves a void in the present but threatens the continuity of Tahltan heritage. Without the ability to physically connect with their past through these artifacts, the Tahltan community risks losing the essence of stories that have bound them for generations. It’s not just about access; it’s about the fundamental right to reclaim one’s own history. The return of these artifacts is a step towards healing, a chance to keep the Tahltan communities’ stories heard and alive.
Sandra Marion, the Director for Cultural and Heritage of the Tahltan Central Government, is on a passionate quest to bridge the past with the present for the Tahltan people.
Marion’s current battle is with the Royal BC Museum (RBCM), as she advocates for the return of Tahltan artifacts that are currently housed away from their home territory. Marion emphasizes the fundamental right of indigenous communities to have unrestricted access to their own history and cultural artifacts. “If there’s information out there about your nation, about your family, anything to do with your identity as an indigenous individual, you are supposed to have unaltered access to that information and supposed to be able to bring it home,” she asserts. This statement reinforces the deep connection between cultural heritage and identity, highlighting the injustice of withholding these artifacts from the very people to whom they belong.
The Tahltan Nation of around 4,000 individuals has seen Sandra Marion take on the pivotal role of connecting the community with its heritage through her collection of archives. Marion has made it her mission to take on the role of culture and heritage director.
Since 1974, the Tahltan Central Government has dedicated itself to the vital task of gathering historical records from various indigenous sources, including cassette tapes and books. This endeavor aims to weave these collected narratives back into the community, enriching both cultural understanding and language retention. The overarching goal of the Tahltan people is to broaden awareness of their heritage and culture.
CONTACT INFORMATION: For more information, contact Kylie Larson, Public Relations Specialist, (Kylielarson97@gmail.com).