Heart Work: Weaving Relationality into Métis Material Culture Repatriation

• Author / Creator

  Hrycun, Leah

• The purpose of this study is to explore the desires of Métis individuals in Alberta to advance repatriation and to analyze their views on the role that museums play in continuing to hold material culture. The Métis Nation of Alberta expressed interest in advancing repatriation efforts on behalf of Métis in Alberta, and it is anticipated that this study will provide insight into the desire for repatriation and the effect that repatriation could have on self-determination for Métis in Alberta. It is anticipated that articulating the desires of Métis individuals to advance repatriation would make clear the need for a Métis-specific framework for repatriation, and accordingly this study serves as a foundation from which a Métis-specific framework for repatriation can be negotiated between Métis in Alberta and the federal and provincial governments. Utilizing qualitative case study methodology, including focus groups and one-on-one interviews, this study canvassed nine individuals who self-identify as Métis and who currently reside in Alberta. The data collected through these processes highlight the need for museums and museum staff to develop policies and procedures unique to Métis needs and goals in order to advance repatriation. Through this study, it was found that there is a strong desire for Métis in Alberta to advance repatriation, and that Métis-specific repatriation centres on the development of good relations between Métis and museums in Alberta. This study also found that there is a need to create a framework for museums that hold Métis material culture, a framework that advances decolonization and reconciliation, empowering Métis with agency over their own material culture and re-engaging Métis communities with items central to their unique identity.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • material culture
  • repatriation
  • Métis self-determination
  • Métis
  • care and control of material culture
  • Métis repatriation
  • Métis culture

• Graduation date

  Fall 2020

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Master of Arts

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/r3-wj2b-7y28

• License

  Permission is hereby granted to the University of Alberta Libraries to reproduce single copies of this thesis and to lend or sell such copies for private, scholarly or scientific research purposes only. Where the thesis is converted to, or otherwise made available in digital form, the University of Alberta will advise potential users of the thesis of these terms. The author reserves all other publication and other rights in association with the copyright in the thesis and, except as herein before provided, neither the thesis nor any substantial portion thereof may be printed or otherwise reproduced in any material form whatsoever without the author's prior written permission.