Campaigners asking for the return of two bodies held by the National Museums of Scotland have expressed their dismay that the Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, did not call for their return in his visit to Edinburgh this week.
Trudeau visited Edinburgh this week, and the museum, but did not mention the case of the two Beothuk people, a chief and his wife from the people of Newfoundland, the remains of which are in the collections of the museums (NMS).
The organisers of a Edinburgh Festival Fringe show, Article 11, an indigenous performance company led by Tara Beagan and Andy Moro, are campaigning for the return of the bodies and have expressed their disappointment that Trudeau did not discuss the matter with museum staff this week.
An NMS spokesman confirmed the matter was not raised during Trudeau's visit.
Mr Moro, whose show is appearing as part of the CanadaHub programme at the Fringe, said: "We learned of Trudeau’s visit to Edinburgh, and particularly to the Museum from the media like everyone else.
"We regret missing an opportunity to push this issue of the 'rematriation' onto an agenda - or at least into an influential inbox or two.
"We were unfortunately not disappointed with the fact that the issue did not remain a priority, despite Minister of Canadian Heritage [Melanie] Joly’s statement that 'The government of Canada considers this matter to be of considerable importance'".
He added: "This would not be the first deferred dream on the list of 'reconciliatory' initiatives.
"It is our hope that we can help the government recall it’s own directive."
During his visit, Trudeau met David Forsyth, principal curator, who showed them objects that "relate to the shared history between Scotland and Canada" although this did not include the remains, which have been in Scotland since 1828.
The object did include a ball-headed club, thought to be the work of the Iroquois and given as a diplomatic gift to James Bruce, 8th Earl of Elgin and 12th Earl of Kincardine.
He served in Canada as Governor General from 1847-1854 and was the first Governor General to acknowledge the authority of the Canadian Parliament.
The NMS believe the Beothuk remains are of "utmost scientific importance."
However, Ms Joly has notified National Museums Scotland of the "intention" to formally request repatriation.
Article 11's show, named Rematriation, which will be at the King's Hall venue from August 7 to 25, hopes to bring further focus to the campaign to return the remains to Canada.
A motion has been made in the Newfoundland-Labrador House of Assembly by member Tracey Perry calling for repatriation of the remains “so that they may be laid to rest with dignity.”
The effort has been publicly led by Chief Mi’sel Joe, who has visited Edinburgh twice, and performed a ceremony over the remains, which the campaign wish to be returned to the eastern coast of Turtle Island.
The skulls belong to Chief Nonobawsut, and his young wife Demasuit, whose land was taken by Governor Charles Hamilton.
Demasduit was captured and taken by the British contingent while Nonosbawsut, her husband and community leader, was murdered.
Demasduit died of tuberculosis on 8 January 1820. Her body was placed in a burial hut beside her husband and child.
The Scots-Canadian William Cormack took the skull and other goods from the grave of Nonosbawsut and sent them to Edinburgh, along with the remains of Demasduit in 1828, and later became part of the NMS collection.
Chief Mi'sel Joe, of the the Mi’kmaq, along with the Innu and the Innuit, share the traditional lands of the Beothuk.
"They were stolen from Newfoundland. They belong to us and they should be brought back," he has said.
A statement for the NMS said: "The two Beothuk skulls are of the utmost scientific importance as they represent a now-extinct tribe and these skulls are among the very last evidence for this tribe.
"National Museums Scotland is committed to caring for these items with great sensitivity and respect in the present as in the past.
"Representatives communicated to Chief Misel Joe the proper channels through which he could make repatriation requests."
The spokeswoman said that there has been no formal request for repatriation from the Canadian government, but "we have been happy to provide all materials and information that the Canadian Government has required and are continuing a constructive dialogue with the government and its civil servants."
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