Reconciliation: Respectfully bringing the past into the present to create a better future

Often true blessings are realized by simply being a considerate human being.

Sid Gough, 84, had no idea his gesture to make things right would become an act of Reconciliation that would have ripple affects.

He has family ties to the Town of Kamsack and Cote First Nation, dating back to the early 1900s because his grandfather was a pharmacist for the area.

Earlier this year, Gough made a phone call not knowing it will eventually change the educational dynamics of an entire nation.

According to family lore, it all began one fateful day in the 1920s when his grandfather and an unidentified man from the Cote First Nation met and came to an agreement.

The unidentified man handed over some custom-made items, but the exchange was never meant to be permanent.

During this same time period the Pass System was in full force, which meant First Nation people could not leave the boundaries of their reserve without prior consent from the Indian Agent. The system was created in 1885 and was not repealed until 1951. Also during this same time period the federal government passed the Potlatch Law, which banned the practice of cultural ceremonies including singing and dancing.

The two rules were outlined in the Indian Act and enforced by the RCMP.

For unknown reasons, the man was not able to pay off the debt and get his items back.

The story passed down through the generations is all Gough knows about the two beaded bandolier bags, moccasins, fur, leather gloves, braid of hair and other items, which could easily be powwow or ceremonial regalia.

Gough eventually inherited the items, which he donated to a museum in Calgary.

However, after speaking to his sister she planted the seed of repatriation.

The Gough family decided to return the artifacts back to the people from which they came.

The repatriation seed blossomed into a partnership between Cote First Nation, Western Development Museum, and the Saskatchewan Archeological Society.

Returning the valuable items was a complicated process.

After numerous phone calls, emails, questions, and more importantly selfless determination, the artifacts are now home.

Traditionally, the Cote community is governed by four natural laws: Kindness, Humility, Respect, and Love.

During the exchange of the items each teaching was modeled by everyone in attendance.

The Cote Repatriation team was led by Chief George Cote, Councilors Tyrone Keshane and Natasha Pelly, Knowledge Keeper Larry Whitehawk, and Cultural Co-ordinator Cory Cadotte all of whom met with Gough and his wife Audrey for the formal ceremony.

Johanna Murray ( Events Coordinator), Cathy Heggs (Museum Curator), May Fleury, Cory Cadotte (Cote FN Cultural Coordinator), Larry Whitehawk (Knowledge Keeper), Sid Gough, Coun. Tyrone Keshane, Audrey Gough, Coun. Natasha Pelly Liz Scott (Western Development Museum chief curator), Stephanie Sanyluk (Canadian Museums Assoc.), Joan Kanigan (WDM CEO), Karin Steuber (Sask Archeology Society Director) Chief George Cote (Photo by Cory Cadotte)

Whitehawk began the day with a prayer in keeping with traditional customs. Then Chief Cote acknowledged the historical moment with a welcoming address.

Gough was overwhelmed with the significance of the exchange ceremony because he didn’t expect such a reception from the community.

He thought he would simply hand over the items and that would be that.

As the vested parties spoke about how the day came together, everyone soon realized how special the moment actually was.

“These artifacts won’t be sitting in a box unseen and collecting dust,” said Cadotte. “They will be used as educational pieces by our children, grandchildren and their children for time immemorial.”

The parties in attendance agreed to collaborate on returning more artifacts home and begin the process of Cote having its own Cultural/Educational center.