The Manitou Stone: A Sacred Object in the Wrong Place

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The Royal Alberta Museum holds a sacred object of the First Nations groups of Alberta and Saskatchewan, the Manitou Stone. This sacred object has a vast history to the Aboriginals but also has much controversy that surrounds it. Hundreds of years ago the object was removed from its original spot and was moved back and forth across the Canada, eventually ending up in Edmonton at the Royal Alberta Museum. This sacred object was said to have many powers for the First Nations people and when it was taken it brought great hardship to the First Nations groups that believed in the power of the Manitou Stone. This is only the beginning of the issues that surround this sacred object. Many different Aboriginal groups claim to own the piece but no decision has been made as to where the object should be placed. With the Manitou Stone now in the Royal Alberta Museum issues arise about the proper housing of the item and whether or not it should be retained in a museum or if it should be on First Nations land. Where the Manitou Stone is placed brings many complications and struggles for the Aboriginal people that claim ownership of the sacred object. When researching this object I was initially unaware of the significance that a museum could have to groups of people and the struggles that this could bring to these groups. This paper will explore the significance of the stone, the various viewpoints on why the object was moved originally from Iron Creek, who claims ownership to the object, and whether or not a museum is the proper place for sacred objects like the Manitou Stone to be kept.
Papamihaw Asini or better know to us, as the Manitou Stone was a meteorite that “once sat on a prominent hill about a tributary of the Battle River named Ir...

... middle of paper ...

...f the Manitoba First Nations Education Resource Centre, 2 (1), 1-24. Available online at: http://www.mfnerc.org/images
Gerson, Jen, “First Nation College Calls for Return of Sacred Meteorite from Alberta Museum,” National Post, August 8, 2012. Accessed Nov 25, 2012. http://news.nationalpost.com/2012/08/08/first-nations-college-calls-for-return-of sacred-meteorite-from-alberta-museum/.
Goyette, Linda, Edmonton in Our Own Words. Winnipeg: University of Alberta Press, 2004.
McCrakcen, Ryan “Blue Quills President Makes Waves with Manitou Stone Quest,” St. Paul Journal, September 25, 2012. Accessed November 29, 2012. http://www.spjournal.com/article/20120925/STP0801/309259955/ 1/stp0801/blue-quills-president-makes-waves-with-manitou-stone-quest.
Peers, Laura L. Brown, Allison K, Museums and Source Communities: A Routledge Reader. London: Routledge, 2003. 9786610142040

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