Pictured: Ashley Friday, Sam Badger, Cory Cadotte, Reggie Severight, Loretta Friday(Council), Kurt Cote, Elizabeth Renz, Crystal Severight, Tyrone Keshane(Council),Jordan Musqua, Brunella Whitehawk, Larry Whitehawk, Front: Ciel Cadotte and Bowe Keshane

By Cory Cadotte

Home: A Journey of Love

Home: A Journey of Love

Aug 2, 2024 | 10:16 AM

It started with a phone call and now some precious artifacts are with the Cote First Nation.

Stone tools potentially dating back thousands of years went on an amazing journey to find their way home.

Elizabeth Renz born Soloninko grew up picking stones on a farm located in the RM of Cote near Togo in the early 1950s.

Her family discovered some distinct stones while picking rocks, which in her opinion were “special”.

Fast forward seven decades, she decided to return them to the people whose ancestors utilized these tools to maintain their way of life.

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According to Renz, she kept the stones safe and took them with her across Western Canada knowing the value and significance of what she had.

The artifacts are a stone hammer and two scrapers.

She decided to reach out to Cote First Nation to begin the repatriation process.

A small group consisting of elders, leadership, band members, and children met in Shellbrook on July 2 to meet with Renz and accept the artifacts.

In the tradition of First Nations people, Renz was gifted a star blanket, which was donated by Loretta Friday, along with tobacco. The gifts were to acknowledge both the historical significance of the artifacts and to thank Renz for taking the steps to return them in a respectful way.

It was an emotional experience for those involved in the exchange.

Upon receiving the stones tears were shed as the realization of how momentous of an occasion it was for everyone.

Since Renz shared her story of repatriation, other landowners have reached out to Cote and there may be more instances of artifacts of historical significance being returned to the First Nation.

About the author:

As the Cultural Coordinator for Cote First Nation, I believe things happen for a reason. Imagining one of our ancestors made and cherished these items brings warmth to the heart. This undertaking and the history and teaching potential created for our children and grandchildren is welcome and needed. Just knowing we were always here and how we lived solidifies my belief in our way of life.