(Toronto – Ont. – September 23, 2026) Chiefs of Ontario (COO) have launched an Open Letter to All Ontarians: Help Us Bring Our Ancestors Home, calling on people and institutions to come forward if they are holding or have information about, First Nations Ancestors, sacred items, burial belongings, or other culturally significant items.

This initiative responds to a resolution passed by the Ontario Chiefs-in-Assembly in June 2025, directing the Ontario Regional Chief to advance the respectful repatriation of First Nations Ancestors.

For generations, First Nations Ancestors and sacred belongings have been removed from burial places, territories, families, and Nations, including through archaeological excavation, institutional collection, and private collection. These removals have caused lasting spiritual and cultural harm. Repatriation is about restoring relationships and responsibilities that were disrupted and ensuring Ancestors are returned to the Nations and families to whom they belong.

“Our Ancestors are not objects. They are our relatives, and they deserve to be treated with dignity and brought home to their Nations and families,” said Ontario Regional Chief Abram Benedict. “For too long, First Nations have carried the consequences of having Ancestors and sacred belongings taken from our communities. Through this open letter, we are asking Ontarians to help us address that harm. Whether you are an individual, a museum, a university, or another institution, coming forward is an important step towards respect and restoring what was taken.”

The Open Letter calls on private citizens who may hold Ancestors or sacred belongings, or, who have knowledge about where they are being held, to come forward in good faith. It also calls on governments, museums, and universities to share their inventories with First Nations, and on institutions and other partners to work directly with First Nations to remove barriers to timely and respectful repatriation.

“As part of Reconciliation, our First Nations and Knowledge Keepers are kindly asking for your cooperation and support,” said Knowledge Keeper Pat Oakes. When we speak about bringing our Ancestors home, we are speaking about our sacred duty and responsibility to ensure this happens. Our Ancestors were taken, relocated, and disconnected from their families, communities, Nations and their traditional homeland. For their Spirits to finally rest, their return must be approached through specific ceremonies, under the guidance and lead of our First Nations and Knowledge Keepers. We look forward to achieving this vital responsibility.”

The purpose of this initiative is not to assign blame, but to create respectful conversations and support the return of Ancestors and culturally significant belongings where appropriate. COO will not take possession of Ancestors or sacred belongings. Its role is to receive information, help identify potentially affected First Nations where necessary, and facilitate connections so that the repatriation process can proceed through a First Nations-led process.

Where appropriate, information may also be reviewed by a First Nations archaeological advisor, who can assist with identifying potential descendant First Nations and determining whether additional information is required. Potentially affected First Nations will then be provided with all the available information and asked for their direction, with COO providing coordinating support as needed.

Individuals or institutions with information about Ancestors, sacred items, burial belongings, archaeological collections, or other culturally significant items are encouraged to contact repatriation@coo.org. Even limited information may help support future repatriation efforts.

Watch Ontario Regional Chief Abram Benedict’s video message here.

Learn more about the initiative: https://chiefs-of-ontario.org/priorities/justice/ancestors/

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The Chiefs of Ontario supports all First Nations in Ontario as they assert their sovereignty, jurisdiction, and their chosen expression of nationhood. Follow Chiefs of Ontario on Facebook, X, Instagram, or LinkedIn @ChiefsOfOntario

 

Media Contact:

Isak Vaillancourt

Communications Manager

Chiefs of Ontario

Telephone: 416-819-8184

Email: isak.vaillancourt@coo.org