Kawacatoose First Nation leaders travel to Washington to reclaim stolen teepee cover
Chief Cory Dustyhorn, his relatives and a university professor are heading to Washington, D.C. to recover a teepee cover taken from their community in 1926 and held by the Smithsonian.
After a century-long absence, a teepee cover crafted by the great-great-grandfather of Kawacatoose First Nation chief Cory Dustyhorn is set to return to Saskatchewan. The journey follows a pipe ceremony and a final discussion with Canadian border officials, underscoring the emotional weight of the undertaking.
Miller has guided the family through numerous meetings, report writing, and permit applications required for repatriation. The cover has not been seen by any descendant since its removal in 1926. Upon their return, the community plans a celebration and ceremony to mark the artifact’s homecoming.
Why it matters
Returning the stolen teepee cover restores cultural heritage and acknowledges past injustices toward Indigenous peoples.
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