For immediate release

December 5, 2023

To view in PDF, please click here.

 

Unceded Algonquin Territory, Ottawa, ON –  Grand Chief Garrison Settee of the Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO) Inc. is hosting a discussion: “A Collaboration to Develop and Enact a NAGPRA-like Law in Canada”.

 

Tuesday, December 5, 2023

Les Saisons Room, 3rd floor

Westin Hotel Ottawa

2:15 pm – 3:30 pm

 

MKO invites those who would like to share their stories on their efforts to:

  • locate the remains of the children at the locations of or associated with former Indian Residential Schools;
  • secure the conclusive protection of the location of the sites of former Indian Residential Schools; and
  • ensure the conclusive custody, control and authority to make decisions regarding disposition of the children and the sites by the custodial and culturally affiliated First Nations.

 

We hope these stories will guide the principles and processes to be contained in the provisions of the proposed new NAGPRA-like legislation.

Panelists:

Grand Chief Settee. Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak

Kimberly Murray – Special Interlocutor

Chief Willie Sellars – Williams Lake First Nation

Chief Rosanne Casimir – Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc

 

MKO is aware that many other First Nations across the country are encountering some of the same issues when locating potential burial sites. We must stand together to gain control and care for the children that didn’t come home from residential schools and the repatriation of our sacred items and artifacts.

A Thief of Time”, starring Adam Beach and Wes Studi and issued by PBS. This “bonus” video was viewed as part of the Nisichawayasi Aski O’nanakachechikiwuk (NAKO) initiative and inspired the Elders and the Council of the MKO-affiliated Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation (NCN) to demand a Heritage Resources Protection Agreement between NCN, Manitoba and Manitoba Hydro as a non-waivable condition of entering into the final arrangements related to the Project Development Agreement for the Wuskwatim Hydroelectric Generating Station. MKO and the Sioux Valley Dakota Nation have recently called for the adaptation of the NCN Heritage Resources Protection Agreement to ensure conclusive First Nation custody, control and authority over decisions regarding disposition at the site of the former Brandon Indian Residential School
Access URL(s):
Streaming Video A-La-Carte Collection
https://fod.infobase.com/PortalPlaylists.aspx?wID=294994…
Username: Manitobako
Password: digital
The second program, entitled “The Development of NAGPRA”, is produced by the National Park Service of the United States. The National Park Service is responsible for the administration of the NAGPRA Program pursuant to the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) and regulation.
To access “The Development of NAGPRA”:
Access URL(s):
Streaming Video YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0wZlEggi-I

 

For more information:

Naomi Clarke, MKO Communications

Phone: 204-612-1284

Email: [email protected]

Web: https://mkonation.com/

 

Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Inc. (MKO) is a non-profit, political advocacy organization that has represented 26 First Nation communities in Manitoba’s North since 1981. The MKO represents more than 72,000 First Nations people.