A professor from Saskatchewan unearthed a piece of the province’s history in the Smithsonian collection in Washington, D.C., and it is now set to return home. Andrew Miller, an Indigenous studies professor at the First Nations University of Canada, stumbled upon a teepee cover stolen from the Kawacatoose First Nation about a century ago while researching birds using the Smithsonian’s inventory.
The cover, taken in the 1920s, has been preserved through generations within the family’s memory. Miller recalled a student mentioning that their belongings were in prominent U.S. museums, prompting him to investigate further. Upon discovering the teepee cover labeled “Dustyhorn—File Hills” with an acquisition date of 1926, Miller connected with Cory Dustyhorn, the current chief of Kawacatoose First Nation, to share his findings.
Dustyhorn confirmed the story of his great-great-grandfather Sîpiskwêsîkan’s stolen teepee cover, for which payment was promised but never received. Collaborating with Dustyhorn, Miller contacted the museum, where the Smithsonian displayed understanding and openness throughout the process.
Acknowledging past unethical practices, the Smithsonian noted that some artifacts were acquired unethically through intermediaries like the Indian Agent. In response, the museum adopted a shared stewardship and ethical returns policy in 2022 to address historical wrongs.
After a century of absence, the teepee cover is set to be repatriated to the Kawacatoose community. Dustyhorn expressed that the return would strengthen the bond between his ancestor, his family, and the entire community. Plans are underway to establish a museum on Kawacatoose to exhibit the teepee cover, which will be temporarily housed at the Royal Saskatchewan Museum in Regina.