Regalia returning to Siksika Nation after being housed in Exeter since 1878
Regalia returning to Siksika Nation after being housed in Exeter since 1878
Sacred regalia belonging to the Siksika Nation will be making its way home to Alberta from England.
A delegation from Siksika First Nation including Chief Ouray Crowfoot received a number of items that have been housed in the Royal Albert Memorial Museum (RAMM) in Exeter since 1878.
The regalia includes a buckskin shirt, leggings, and a knife with feather bundle, beaded bags and a horsewhip.
They once belonged to 19th century Blackfoot leader Chief Crowfoot, and will now be put on display at Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park.
"Today is a very historic day," said Chief Ouray Crowfoot, in a video of the event posted to YouTube, "and it's been a long time coming.
"Working with Camilla (Hampshire) and the City of Exeter, we're very grateful to have these items come back home.
"We don't only see this as one event," he added," but we see it as a relationship building, collaborative effort on ways we can open the door to bring many items back."
Exeter city council voted unanimously to return the objects in 2020, but COVID-19 travel restrictions delayed the entire process until this week.
“I feel very honoured to be here today to see the current Chief Crowfoot and his council, members of his family and the Blackfoot people here in Exeter to receive back into their ownership the artifacts that are here," said Councillor. Laura Wright, who is Exeter's Deputy Leader, in a story on the City of Exeter website.
“I feel so humbled and honoured to be part of the welcome, and to see everything going back to where it should be."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Ottawa convoy organizer Tamara Lich arrested in Alberta for alleged breach of bail conditions
Tamara Lich, one of the organizers of the Freedom Convoy, has been arrested in Alberta for alleged breach of bail conditions, CTV News has learned.

Child dies after being left in hot car while mother taught at Ontario high school, mayor says
An Ontario community is reeling after a 23-month-old boy died when he was accidentally left in a hot car outside the school where his mother taught, the mayor says.
G7 leaders wrap up summit meant to bolster Ukraine support
The Group of Seven on Tuesday was wrapping up a summit intended to send a strong signal of long-term commitment to Ukraine's future, ensuring that Russia pays a higher price for its invasion while also attempting to alleviate a global hunger crisis and show unity against climate change.
Woman trampled, killed by horses at central Alberta rodeo: RCMP
A 30-year-old woman is dead after falling off a horse at the Ponoka Stampede on Sunday.
46 dead, 16 hospitalized after trailer of migrants found
Forty-six people were found dead in and near a tractor-trailer and 16 others were taken to hospitals in a presumed migrant smuggling attempt into the United States, officials in San Antonio said.
Deadly and contagious rabbit virus detected in Ontario for first time
A highly contagious and deadly virus that affects rabbits and hares has been detected in Ontario for the first time.
3 killed, dozens hurt in Amtrak train crash in Missouri
An Amtrak passenger train traveling from Los Angeles to Chicago struck a dump truck Monday in a remote area of Missouri, killing three people and injuring dozens more as rail cars tumbled off the tracks and landed on their sides, officials said.
Passport lines persist as urgent travellers get priority
As long lines persist, Canadians travelling in the next 24 to 48 hours are being given priority at some passport offices.
As COVID-19 fears ebb, Japan readies for tourists from abroad
Japan is bracing for a return of tourists from abroad after the island nation's border controls to curb the spread of coronavirus infections began gradually loosening earlier this month.