Trudeau sparks museum skulls anger
CAMPAIGNERS demanding the return of the remains of two bodies held by the National Museums of Scotland (NMS) have expressed dismay the Prime Minister of Canada did not call for their return when he visited Edinburgh.
Justin Trudeau was at the museum last week but did not mention the case of the two Beothuk people, a chief and his wife from the people of Newfoundland, the skulls of whom are in the collections of the museums.
The organisers of a Edinburgh Festival Fringe show, Article 11, an indigenous performance company led by Tara Beagan and Andy Moro, are campaigning for the return of the remains and said they were disappointed Mr Trudeau did not discuss the matter with museum staff. An NMS spokesman confirmed the matter was not raised during the visit.
Mr Moro, whose show is appearing as part of the CanadaHub programme at the Fringe, said: “We learned of Mr Trudeau’s visit to Edinburgh, and particularly to the museum from the media like everyone else.
“We regret missing an opportunity to push this issue of the ‘rematriation’ on to an agenda – or at least into an influential inbox or two.
“We were unfortunately disappointed the issue did not remain a priority, despite Minister of Canadian Heritage [Melanie] Joly’s statement ‘the government of Canada considers this matter to be of considerable importance’.”
He added: “This would not be the first deferred dream on the list of ‘reconciliatory’ initiatives. It is our hope we can help the government recall its own directive.”
During his visit, Mr Trudeau met David Forsyth, principal curator, who showed him objects that “relate to the shared history between Scotland and Canada” although these did not include the remains, which have been in Scotland since 1828.
The NMS believes the Beothuk remains are of “utmost scientific importance”.
However, Ms Joly has notified NMS of the “intention” to formally request repatriation.
Article 11’s show, named Rematriation, which will be at the King’s Hall venue from August 7 to 25, hopes to bring further focus to the campaign to return the remains to Canada.
A motion has been made in the Newfoundland-Labrador House of Assembly by member Tracey Perry calling for repatriation of the remains “so they may be laid to rest with dignity”.
The effort has been publicly led by Chief Mi’el Joe, who has visited Edinburgh twice, and performed a ceremony over the remains, which the campaign wish to be returned to the eastern coast of Turtle Island. The skulls are those of Chief Nonobawsut, and his young wife Demasuit, whose land was taken by Governor Charles Hamilton.
“They were stolen from Newfoundland. They belong to us and they should be brought back,” he has said.
A statement for the NMS said: “The two Beothuk skulls are of the utmost scientific importance as they represent a now-extinct tribe and these skulls are among the very last evidence for this tribe.
“National Museums Scotland is committed to caring for these items with great sensitivity and respect in the present as in the past. Representatives communicated to Chief Mi’sel Joe the proper channels through which he could make repatriation requests.”