Community Notices

The University of Alberta Museums works closely with members of the community, both on and off the University of Alberta campus. From art commissions to return of cultural property, the University of Alberta Museums is dedicated to collaborating with colleagues and communities on a variety of projects. 

Notices for the Community

Public Notice - February 2, 2026

The purpose of this public notice is to 

  • Publicly disclose that the University of Alberta has received repatriation claims for the Medicine Hat Ancestors, believed to have Indigenous ancestry, and 
  • Notify other Indigenous Nations or Indigenous communities, who believe they have a repatriation claim to the Ancestors, of their right to also submit a formal repatriation claim.  

Information on how to make a claim is provided below. Please submit all required information by the deadline (prior to 5:00 pm MT on April 3, 2026) or your claim will not be considered in the claims process.

The Medicine Hat Ancestors Reburial Project (2022 - September 2025)

The Medicine Hat Ancestors Reburial Project (MHARP) was formed in partnership with the University of Alberta, City of Medicine Hat, and Miywasin Friendship Centre in 2022. The project aims to coordinate the reburial of three Ancestors removed from the Medicine Hat area in 1967 and have since been cared for at the University of Alberta. A reburial is the process of returning human remains to the land. 

The MHARP’s goal is to ensure that the Ancestors are reburied in a good, respectful, and transparent way. Collaboration with Indigenous Nations and communities that may have been in the Medicine Hat area when the Ancestors were first buried has been essential. Community engagement and transparent communication are a priority and ongoing commitment for the project.

Through non-invasive research conducted by the University of Alberta, it has been determined that several Nations could have relationships to the Ancestors. It is not possible for the University of Alberta to ethically evaluate these connections further because that would require using additional, more invasive methods.

After many engagement sessions, the MHARP determined that it would be most inclusive and respectful for the Ancestors to be reburied near their original resting place, which is in the city of Medicine Hat. This decision was made in an effort to respect each Nation’s relationship to the Medicine Hat area and the Ancestors. A location was designated within Hillside Cemetery for the reburial, as was suggested during these engagement sessions.

More information about the Ancestors and the MHARP can be found at medicinehat.ca. 

Repatriation Claims Received (September 2025 - Present)

Since September 2025, two repatriation claims to the Ancestors have been made, one by the Carry the Kettle Nakota First Nation and one by Otipemisiwak Métis Government, Métis Nation within Alberta. Repatriation differs from reburial because it means returning belongings or human remains to the communities they came from. A reburial does not determine or confirm a cultural tie to a community, but it allows us to return the Ancestors to the land from which they came.  

As current stewards of the Ancestors, the University of Alberta is providing notice that it intends to facilitate and support a resolution of the repatriation claims between the current claimants and any further claimants. The University of Alberta is committed to working in a transparent manner with our MHARP partners, and all other involved Indigenous Nations and Indigenous communities. 

How to Make a Claim

If your Nation wishes to make a repatriation claim to the Ancestors, we require that your Nation identify an individual who will be the University of Alberta’s point of contact going forward for this process (the “Named Representative”). The Named Representative must have the written support and authorization from the leadership of your Nation and must not be employed, or contracted, by the University of Alberta, the City of Medicine Hat, or Miywasin Friendship Centre, as this would constitute a conflict of interest.

We require two (2) means of communication for your Nation’s authorized, Named Representative (e.g., phone number and email address, or email address and mailing address) in order to communicate directly with your Nation’s Named Representative throughout the process. The name of your Nation’s Named Representative, their contact information, and written support of leadership must be sent directly to the University of Alberta, care of Christine Conciatori, prior to 5:00 p.m. (MT) on April 3, 2026. If your Nation fails to provide all of the required information by that date and time, your Nation’s claim will be deemed to have been abandoned and withdrawn, and its claim will not be considered further in the claims process. 

Communication from the University of Alberta regarding claims to the Ancestors will come from Christine Conciatori, Director, University of Alberta Museums. Any communication regarding your claim must come from your Nation’s Named Representative and be sent to Ms. Conciatori via email at museums@ualberta.ca. 

Members of the public, or community representatives with questions, concerns, or inquiries, are also invited to please contact Christine Conciatori during this notice period, from February 2, 2026, until April 3, 2026.

Christine Conciatori
Director, University of Alberta Museums

Public Notice - February 2, 2026

The purpose of this public notice is to 

  • Publicly disclose that the University of Alberta has received a repatriation claim for cultural belongings to their rightful First Nations community: Kainai Nation/Blood Tribe.

Repatriation is the process of returning a belonging to the person, community, or Nation of origin. The repatriation of Indigenous belongings back to their communities recognizes that the cultural heritage of Indigenous peoples belongs to Indigenous peoples, and that they are the proper rights holders and stewards of their cultural heritage.

This repatriation is in support of and alignment with:

  • The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), which in Article 11 affirms the right of Indigenous Peoples to maintain, control, protect, and develop their cultural heritage and traditions.
  • The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Calls to Action, particularly Calls to Action 67 and 69, which urge museums to work collaboratively with Indigenous communities in repatriation efforts and review museum policies to reflect Indigenous perspectives and rights.
  • Braiding Past, Present and Future: University of Alberta Indigenous Strategic Plan, which reflects our institution’s commitment to reconciliation in post-secondary education, research, and addressing the historical legacy of the residential school system and Canada’s colonial history. 

The following belongings are part of this intended repatriation to Kainai Nation/Blood Tribe. These belongings have been approved for repatriation in consultation with the community because they have been found to have a historical and cultural affiliation with Kainai Nation. 

  • (University of Alberta Museums Art Collection, UAMAC) 1965.24.38 - Iniskim
  • (UAMAC) 1965.24.29 - Iniskim
  • (UAMAC) 1965.24.44 - Headdress, feathered
  • (UAMAC) 1965.24.190 - Headdress, horned
  • (UAMAC) 1965.24.191 - Headdress, horned
  • (UAMAC) 1965.24.192 - Headdress, horned
  • (UAMAC) 1965.24.196 - Headdress, horned
  • (UAMAC) 1965.24.228 - Iniskim
  • (UAMAC) 1965.24.248 - Iniskim
  • (Bryan Gruhn Archaeology Collection) 995.14.1 - bracelet
  • (Bryan Gruhn Archaeology Collection) 995.14.2 - bracelet

Those items numbered 1965.24 were purchased by the university from Henrietta Edwards in 1919. Her husband, Dr. O.C. Edwards, worked as a medical officer for the Department of Indian Affairs between 1883-1915. At the time these items were removed from their community, Dr. Edwards was a medical officer of Treaty 7. The two (2) bracelets, numbered 995.14, are identified as funerary items from the area of Lethbridge, AB, and given to the university by Charles Conybeare in 1947.

Members of the public or community representatives with questions or inquiries related to this repatriation, please contact Christine Conciatori during this notice period, from February 2 to March 2, 2026.

Christine Conciatori
Director, University of Alberta Museums
museums@ualberta.ca 

Completed Projects
Updates and Information on the Alberta History Mural.