Abstract : Making space for Indigenous voices and perspectives within the walls of institutions whose foundations are often rooted in a colonial period - which also saw Indigenous nations dispossessed of their cultural heritage - presents many challenges. The purpose of this conference is to discuss the various issues surrounding the acquisition, documentation, display, management, and restitution of Indigenous objects in the current context of decolonization and Indigenization initiatives in memory institutions across Canada. In this talk, Jonathan Lainey will draw on many observations and examples from his experiences over the past 15 years in national institutions.

Biography : Jonathan Lainey has been Curator, Indigenous Cultures, at the McCord Museum since February 2020. He is interested in the social, political, and cultural history of Indigenous Peoples in Quebec and Canada. He is particularly interested in the history of objects and collections through time, with a focus on wampum necklaces. He is the author, among others, of La « monnaie des Sauvages ». Les colliers de wampum d'hier à aujourd'hui (Septentrion, 2004). He was previously Curator, First Peoples, at the Canadian Museum of History (2015-2020) and Archivist responsible for Indigenous archives at Library and Archives Canada (2006-2015). A proud member of the Huron-Wendat First Nation of Wendake, Jonathan Lainey studied anthropology and Indigenous studies and holds a master's degree in history from Université Laval.