HEADLINE: The Tahltan Nation embarks on a journey to reclaim its past, calling upon the community to restore ancestral heritage to their rightful home.
DATELINE: Northern British Columbia, Canada – March 16th, 2024
BODY: The Tahltan territories demand the restoration of their cultural heritage, situated in Northern British Columbia near Dease Lake. Tahltan artifacts are currently being held by the Royal BC Museum (RBCM), items that rightfully belong within the Tahltan governance, accessible to its people. Despite numerous appeals, the RBCM has yet to provide a timeline or assurances regarding the repatriation of these crucial pieces of history.
The absence of these artifacts not only leaves a void in the present but threatens the continuity of Tahltan heritage. Without the ability to physically connect with their past through these items, the Tahltan community risks losing the essence of stories that have bound them for generations. It is more than an issue of access; it is about the justice of having one’s history in one’s own hands. The return of these artifacts is a step towards healing, a chance to keep their stories heard and alive.
SPOKESPERSON: Sandra Marion, the Director of Cultural and Heritage for the Tahltan Central Government, is on a passionate quest to bridge the past with the present for the Tahltan people.
Marion’s current battle is with the Royal BC Museum (RBCM), as she advocates for the return of Tahltan artifacts that are currently housed away from their home territory. Marion emphasizes the fundamental right of indigenous communities to have unrestricted access to their own history and cultural artifacts. “If there’s information out there about your nation, about your family, anything to do with your identity as an indigenous individual, you are supposed to have unaltered access to that information and supposed to be able to bring it home,” she asserts.
BOILERPLATE: The Tahltan community, of around 4,000 individuals, has seen Marion take on the pivotal role of connecting the community with its heritage through her collection of archives. Since 1974, the Tahltan Central Government has dedicated itself to the vital task of gathering historical records from various indigenous sources, including cassette tapes and books. This endeavor aims to weave these collected narratives back into the community, enriching both cultural understanding and language retention. Marion has made it her mission to take on the role as culture and heritage director. The overarching goal of the Tahltan people is to broaden awareness of their heritage and culture.
CONTACT INFORMATION: For more information, contact Kylie Larson, Public Relations Specialist, (Kylielarson97@gmail.com).
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