A professor from Saskatchewan uncovered a historical artifact belonging to the province at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C., and is now facilitating its return. Andrew Miller, an Indigenous studies professor at the First Nations University of Canada, stumbled upon a teepee cover that was pilfered from the Kawacatoose First Nation nearly a century ago while researching birds using the Smithsonian’s inventory.
The theft of the cover occurred in the 1920s, but the story was preserved through generations within the family. Miller recalled a student mentioning the presence of their belongings in prominent U.S. museums, prompting him to investigate further. He identified the teepee cover in the catalogue labeled as “Dustyhorn—File Hills” with an acquisition date of 1926, which led him to connect with Cory Dustyhorn, the current chief of Kawacatoose First Nation.
Dustyhorn was familiar with the tale of his great-great-grandfather Sîpiskwêsîkan’s stolen teepee cover, where promises of payment were never fulfilled. Miller and Dustyhorn engaged with the Smithsonian, with Miller mentioning the institution’s understanding and willingness to address the situation. The museum recognized the historical context surrounding the acquisition of such items and the evolving ethical standards regarding cultural exchanges.
The museum’s receptiveness to repatriating the teepee cover hinged on ensuring it returned to its rightful community. Dustyhorn recounted a family story linking the artifact’s journey from Alaska to Saskatchewan, which aligned with the museum’s confirmation that the original collector began in Alaska. The Smithsonian acknowledged its past unethical acquisitions facilitated by intermediaries like the Indian Agent, prompting a shift towards a shared stewardship and ethical returns policy in 2022.
After a century, the teepee cover is on its way back to the Kawacatoose community, signifying a significant reconnection between Dustyhorn, his family, and the broader community. Plans are underway to establish a museum in Kawacatoose to exhibit the teepee cover, with its temporary lodging set at the Royal Saskatchewan Museum in Regina.