REPATRIATION POLICY Page 2

4.1

The Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation collections relating to Aboriginal peoples in Canada are established, maintained and developed under the Museums Act for the preservation, generation and dissemination of knowledge about Aboriginal cultures and history. They include archaeological materials, including human remains, objects, the detritus of manufacture, e.g. lithic flakes, associated natural specimens, e.g. pollen samples; ethnographic objects; works of contemporary art; and records, in print, audio-visual, and electronic formats.

Archaeological collections held by CMCC represent all of the territories and provinces of Canada. Regional representation is consistent with research which has been carried out by staff and contract archaeologists, and under various territorial permitting systems which have listed CMCC as a designated repository. Decisions taken since 1991 under the Human Remains Policy have also had an impact on collections.

CMCC's archaeological collection include artifacts (objects of human manufacture), as well as associated archaeological materials such as animal bone or soil samples, found within archaeological sites and also valuable as a source of information about the past. It also includes human skeletal remains. These can consist of individual bones, or whole or partial skeletons. Most were found in the course of archaeological excavations; a few were acquired by private donation, police work, or non-archaeological collection by naturalists, geologists or anthropologists. The majority of the remains held by CMCC date to the period preceding the arrival of the first Europeans, and none represent individuals whose name or identity is known.

The CMCC collection contains objects of Aboriginal origin from the ten provinces, the Northwest Territories, the Yukon, and Nunavut. These were acquired between 1879 and the present, by purchase from Aboriginal people or from private collectors or by donation. A large proportion were purchased by ethnologists carrying out research in Aboriginal communities between 1889 and 1945. Research for exhibits, publications and other programmes, now generally undertaken in collaboration with members of the Aboriginal communities concerned, continues to be a primary context for adding material to the collection. From time to time, usually with contributing funds from the Cultural Properties Export Review Board or other programmes, the CMCC purchases ethnographic objects of Canadian Aboriginal origin which have left Canada or are threatened with export. A small proportion of the ethnographic collection represents indigenous peoples of countries other than Canada.

The CMCC collection contains contemporary works of art produced by Aboriginal artists.