In a poignant and long-awaited ceremony, the remains of three indigenous children were returned to their tribal homeland of Fort Belknap after being held in a museum for over 130 years. The children, believed to have been members of the Absaroka tribe, were laid to rest in a traditional burial ceremony, bringing closure to their descendants and the community.
The children’s remains were originally taken from their ancestral lands in the late 19th century by a collector and eventually ended up in a museum collection. Efforts to repatriate the remains began in 2019 when the museum recognized the need to return them to their rightful resting place.
The return of the children’s remains to Fort Belknap was a significant moment for the tribe and a step towards honoring their ancestors and preserving their cultural heritage. Tribal leaders expressed gratitude for the repatriation and emphasized the importance of acknowledging and respecting the wishes of indigenous communities when it comes to the repatriation of their ancestors’ remains.
The ceremony was attended by members of the Absaroka tribe, as well as representatives from the museum and local officials. The children’s remains were carried in a solemn procession to the burial site, where prayers were offered and traditional songs were sung. The community came together to pay their respects and honor the memory of the children who had been separated from their people for so long.
The repatriation of the children’s remains serves as a reminder of the ongoing injustices faced by indigenous communities and the importance of recognizing and rectifying past wrongs. It is a step towards healing and reconciliation, as well as a tribute to the resilience and strength of indigenous cultures.
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