Provincial Repatriation and Rematriation Policy Framework Co-Development

The Province is co-developing a Provincial Repatriation and Rematriation Policy Framework (Policy Framework) with a Steering Committee consisting of B.C. First Nation, repatriation/rematriation, cultural heritage and museum experts and/or representatives.

The co-development is happening in alignment with the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, the British Columbia Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (Declaration Act) and as set out in Action 4.33 of the Declaration Act Action Plan.

On this Page

• Purpose of the Policy Framework
• Co-Development Approach
• Project Updates

Purpose of the Policy Framework

Support the Respectful Return of Ancestors and Cultural Belongings:

• Provide guidance to the 204 First Nations in B.C.; B.C. heritage-holding organizations including museums, archaeological repositories, archives, and universities.

Transparency and Accountability:

• Provide standards for the return and care of Ancestors and Cultural Belongings that provincially funded heritage-holding organizations are required to follow.

Alignment of Provincial Government Policies:

• Seek alignment of provincial government policies intersecting with repatriation/rematriation activities.

Co-Development Approach

In June 2024, with input from the First Nations Leadership Council the Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport appointed a Steering Committee to co-develop the Policy Framework. Members of the Steering Committee include representatives of the First Nations Leadership Council, Union of BC Indian Chiefs, First Nations Summit, B.C. Assembly of First Nations, the Alliance of B.C. Modern Treaty Nations, the First Peoples Cultural Council, the Royal B.C. Museum, the BC Arts Council, the B.C. Museums’ Association's Indigenous Advisory Committee, Indigenous heritage experts and the provincial government. 

To ensure policy alignment and support communication across the provincial government, a working group consisting of ministries whose work intersects with repatriation/rematriation activities will support the co-development process.

There will be engagement opportunities for the 204 First Nations in B.C. and heritage-holding organizations in 2025.

The Declaration Act Engagement Fund (DAEF) is available for First Nations to access capacity support to participate in Declaration Act Action Plan engagement, inclusive of Action 4.33: Co-Develop a policy framework in support of repatriation initiatives. For more information on how to apply please visit the DAEF website.

Project Updates

Spring 2025: The Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport is reviewing available learnings and What We Heard reports from previous heritage-related engagements, community gatherings, and research, to develop a backgrounder document that will support targeted engagement as part of the co-development of a repatriation policy framework.