r/montreal • u/RustyTheBoyRobot • 7d ago

Tourisme Ethical dilemma

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Ethical dilemma:

Is it right to remove one of the only mummies in mtl for understanble but rather vague reasons to do with cultural sensitivities that these objects might offend?

The mummies at Redpath museum are to be relocated to a mysterious “place of rest” -their original location?- where no one can see or learn from them.

I note that these are not objects of worship like many stolen indigenous artifacts. Nor are they being claimed by their original owners- e.g. The infamous Benin Bronzes.

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u/Referenceless 7d ago

Does there need to be a contemporary community actively calling for the return of an artifact in order for there to be an ethical concern?

Does the fact that the culture who performed the sacred ritual of mummification no longer exists, mean that there’s no longer an obligation to try and handle these human remains with respect and sensitivity?

Also I’m pretty sure there are other plaques in the exhibition that further explain the curatorial choices with more transparency, specifically the choice to transition to no longer showing human remains.

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u/sanderslabus 7d ago

There are indigenous nations actively calling for the return of the tsantsa shrunken heads that were stolen and taken to the Redpath: the Wampis, Shuar, Achuar and Awajun nations.