Our Journey Home Video on YouTube

Check out this excellent video by Gary Green explaining why we're doing what we're doing. Now on YouTube:

How You Can Help

We get a lot of questions along the lines of "how can I help?" Well, we still need help and here's what you can do:

1. Provide a speaking opportunity for and/or promote “Our Journey Home.”
2. Assist on committees for promotion and fundraising.
3. Help with further public education.
4. Raise funds.
5. Give a donation.

Dinner & Auction at Mary Winspear Centre, Sidney

We just hosted a gala dinner & auction at the Mary Winspear Centre in Sidney, BC.

Working Committee Formed

A working committee has been formed. Our goals are:

Immediate

• Repatriation of 55 identified Coast Salish ancestral remains and artifacts from the American Museum of Natural History, New York, USA.

Ongoing

• Repatriation of ancestral remains in Chicago.
• A full-time researcher and assistant to continue the work of identifying Saanich peoples’ remains and artifacts for repatriation from other museums in North America and Europe.
• Enacting Canadian provincial and federal government legislation, in support of repatriation, similar to the North American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) enacted by the US congress in 1990.
• Establish process and dialogue to promote awareness and healing.

History

A bit of the history behind this initiative:

Between 1854 and 1902, an archeologist was hired by four museums to collect artifacts which included skeletal remains of Coastal Indians.

Artifacts and remains were subsequently re-located to a number of museums in North America and Europe.

Cora Jacks has spent the past five years researching the history of the Tseycum people. During her research she identified the remains of 55 Coast Salish people in New York and potentially 79 others in Chicago.

Message from Tseycum First Nation

Welcome to our journey which started over five years ago.

During the research of the history of our people, traditional fishing, hunting and village sites as well as burial sites have been extensively mapped. In the late 1800’s our ancestors’ graves were desecrated, and their remains taken as collectors’ items for a number of museums. Through further research and travel, we have determined the location of a number of our ancestors. They ask to come home to rest where they belong.

Our community is small, as are our resources. In October 2005 we have opened a more public discussion to find solutions for the return of our ancestors. At that time we also applied for a Canadian Heritage Grant to support our current and future work. Today, we ask for your support of our journey and “Our Journey Home” for our ancestors who need to sleep again on Coast Salish territory.

Hiske,
Chief Vern Jacks & Council