NORTHERN COLLEGE
Northern College Repatriates Indigenous Regalia

Northern College is pleased to announce the return of Indigenous Regalia to its rightful owner, Mr. Paul P. Wesley.

The Regalia were included with several other Indigenous cultural items donated to Northern College by the Cochrane Trading Post following the closure of the business and its 6,000 square foot museum in 2015.

"We were grateful to receive these artifacts when they were donated to Northern, to give them a place of honour and to display them in an educational context," stated Dean Lessard, Senior Vice-President Academic at Northern. "However, it is now time to do our part to ensure, where possible, that items are returned to their rightful owners in respectful recognition that Indigenous culture and cultural items are not museum pieces intended for display."

Hailing from Kashechewan, Mr. Welsey was facing financial challenges several years ago and sold his regalia for a modest amount, using the money to help him return home. Northern College is pleased now to be in a position to return these items to their rightful owner.

"It's been so long ago since these years and we cried out when we saw the Regalia we had made years back with my wife Ruby. My wife and I have been married for 44 years now and raised 5 children.  We had danced in the Pow Wows as children, in the Pow Wow trails, and one day we were determined to come home for the summer Pow Wow but we had no way so we had to find a way. When we parted with the Regalia, we were feeling we have lost a great treasure we both made," said Mr. Wesley.

"I'm 65 now and have 26 grandchildren and 7 great great grandchildren and we are called Jabans in our language. Recently me and my wife ran into our Regalia and we both cried and now it is returned. Back when we started making the Regalia for me to wear for my journey to dancing for the Creator in giving thanks to him for me to find my identity. The colors on the Regalia symbolize where I am today. My mentor/teacher called me SkyBear and he's a loon clan and colors mean so much to me in  how we met in the early 80's. The great dipper up there in the sky symbolize my soul name Sky Bear and this is why we see the stars on the Regalia. I hope to speak and tell more of my story when I come out and dance at the at the Spring Pow Wow that will be held at Northern College in April 2025," he added.

Alongside Mr. Wesley's Regalia, the College received a 19-foot totem pole, 18-foot birch bark canoe, a set of handmade snowshoes, an Inuit Kulutuk, a variety of carved and clothing items representing several different Indigenous cultures from across the region.

"As an Indigenous focused institution, we understand that Truth and Reconciliation is more than a concept, it is something that requires action and dedication on all of our parts," stated Shane Polson, Indigenous Services and Initiatives Manager at Northern. "This is a small gesture in a much larger effort, but each step towards Truth and Reconciliation makes a world of difference."

As part of Northern College's commitment to the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action, particularly Call to Action 67, which calls for the review and repatriation of Indigenous cultural items, this return of Mr. Wesley's Regalia marks a significant step in recognizing the rightful ownership and cultural significance of these items.

Northern College will continue to take meaningful steps towards addressing the  ninety-four (94) Calls to Action from  the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.  This includes the development of Indigenous focused programs and responding to the needs of our Indigenous partners in demonstrating our commitment to Indigenous education and empowerment.