Identifying Community Belongings: Touchwood Agency Leaders and FNUniv Faculty Member Visit the Chicago Field Museum

From March 7-11, 2026, Dr. Andrew Miller, Assistant Professor of Indigenous Studies at FNUniv, accompanied Chief and Councillors of Touchwood Agency Tribal Council (TATC) on a visit to the Chicago Field Museum (CFM). The purpose of the visit was to examine community belongings collected between 1891 and 1903 by Hudson Bay Company trader, Isaac Cowie and Museum collector, Steven Sims. Sixteen community representatives, including Chief Lee-Anne Kehler of Kawacatoose and councillors from Day Star, Muskowekwan, Kawacatoose, and George Gordon First Nations, spent two days reviewing more than 190 Plains Cree and Saulteaux objects held in the long-term collection.

Community members identified 60 items originating from their Nation communities and formally requesting their return. While the family names are not identified on the objects, they recognized similarities to family painting and beading patterns that are still used today. Significant items identified include a Dog Soldier feathered bonnet, a beaded buckskin shirt, drums, buffalo calf berry bags, and sacred pipe. Since 2024, community members and university researchers have worked closely with Elders and museum repatriation specialists to document how these belongings were acquired and to determine appropriate next steps. Elders have consistently said that the items were wrongfully obtained. At the time of their purchase in the late 19th / early 20th centuries, First Nations communities were subject to control by Indian Agents, and the Indian Act which criminalized ceremonies and limited economic independence.

The Chicago Field Museum is collaborating with the TATC communities through its Indigenous Repatriation Office, led by Director June Carpenter (Shawnee-Osage) to support the return of belongings identified as originating from the posâganacîwiyiniwak (Touchwood Hills people). They have been a wonderful partner in this journey.

Discussions are ongoing with both the Chicago Field Museum and the Royal Saskatchewan Museum to determine an appropriate solution for returning these important Plains Cree and Saulteaux belongings to Saskatchewan. The youngest objects are over 120 years old, and many are delicate. Repatriation is a long process that requires careful attention and commitment from community leaders and Elders. Several steps remain, but progress continues towards the return of this important community heritage. Dr. Miller is grateful to have been a part of the process.