The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Dwight Ball, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador:

Mr. Speaker, I rise in this Honourable House today to speak to the successful repatriation of the remains of two Beothuk, Nonosabasut and Demasduit.

The remains were repatriated from Scotland to Newfoundland and Labrador.

It was a remarkable accomplishment, where we honoured the return of the remains during a solemn and moving occasion held at The Rooms on March 11.

Where I was joined by Indigenous leaders and representatives.

With their cooperation and leadership over the past five years, we achieved an important milestone in our history in Newfoundland and Labrador and our Reconciliation journey.

The call to return the remains was spurred on by Chief Mi’sel Joe, who had this to say about the repatriation.

“When you look at the history of the Beothuk people and how their demise came about, I think we owe it to them and their remains. And their spirit will never be free – we need to do something about that.”

With the help of the Indigenous leaders and the federal Department of Canadian Heritage, we have done something about that.

Repatriation honours the memory of the Beothuk and the important lessons their history can still teach us today.

We trust their spirits may now freely roam over the lands and waters which they, and the Beothuk people, once so proudly occupied.

The repatriation is an event of historical and cultural significance for all Indigenous peoples of Newfoundland and Labrador.

However, this is not an end, but a continuation of further dialogue.

While there has been much speculation about the final disposition of the remains, no decisions have been made.

They will remain in a safe and secure manner at The Rooms until a decision on their final resting place is reached with Indigenous leaders in the Province.

Thank you.