11th Annual Repatriation Conference

Virtual Conference | Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays in February 2026

The Association’s “11th Annual Repatriation Conference: Feeding the Fire: Advancing the Movement” continued our longstanding legacy of providing comprehensive training and practical expertise to strengthen the movement for repatriation. The 11th Annual Repatriation Conference was held virtually, bringing together Native Nation leaders, practitioners, museum professionals, attorneys, advocates, and allies committed to the return of Ancestors, burial belongings, and sacred cultural heritage.

The theme Feeding the Fire reflected the Association’s commitment to sustaining and advancing this work. By honoring the responsibility carried by Native Nations and reinforcing accountability and collaboration, the Association strengthened collective efforts to move repatriation forward. This Conference focused on building practical skills, sharing updated legal and policy guidance, deepening partnerships, and ensuring the continued protection and return of cultural heritage.

The Conference was an intensive and interactive training experience that called upon our collective commitment to support Fire Keepers and uphold respectful, collaborative repatriation practices that recognize Native Nations as the rightful holders and protectors of their diverse living cultures. Together, we fed the fire—strengthening a movement grounded in justice, healing, and Native sovereignty.

DOWNLOAD FINAL AGENDA

Keynote

REMATRIATED VOICES

PRESS RELEASE

Michelle D. Schenandoah is citizen of the Onʌyota’:aka (Oneida) Nation Wolf Clan of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy and an inspirational speaker, writer, thought leader. She presented as a spiritual advisor to the Pope with the First Nations Delegation at the Vatican that prompted his apology regarding residential schools. She is the founder of the non-profit Rematriation dedicated to uplifting Indigenous women’s voices. Raised in a family of traditional leadership, she carries the values and responsibilities of being Haudenosaunee throughout her life. Inspired by her grandmothers who led generations of Oneida Nation land claims, Michelle carries her Ancestors’ passion to rematriate her People’s lands and bring about the truthful telling of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy’s global influence on modern democracy and women’s rights.

Michelle’s life experiences paved the way for her to found Rematriation in 2016. As a traditional member of the Longhouse, a trained lawyer and a visionary for change, Michelle creates space for Indigenous voices to be honored fully with light and love. Most recently, as Founder of Rematriation, Michelle directed and produced the Rematriation films: An Indigenous Response to #MeToo and the 10-part series, Indigenous Women’s Voices, with Mohawk Director, Katsitsionni Fox. Through her storytelling as a filmmaker, writer and speaker, Michelle creates safe spaces to share tools and resources that she has learned from her own healing journey and lived experiences. She is co-founder, owner and principal at Indigenous Concepts Consulting with her husband, Neal Powless, she helps non-Indigenous businesses and media companies develop their own organizational best practices through an Indigenous lens.

Currently, Michelle is a Soros Open Societies Equality Fellow and a MIT SOLVE Indigenous Communities Fellow.

Exclusive Documentary Screening

WATCH TRAILER

The Doctrine is a feature-length documentary film about the Doctrine of Discovery, 15th century papal decrees issued by the Vatican that authorized conquest and colonization, the exploitation of natural resources for profit, and codified slavery and racism. The film follows a group of Indigenous youth in the Twin Cities who decide to request a meeting at the Vatican to explain how the Doctrine has impacted Indigenous Peoples and advocate for its repudiation.

Also featuring Indigenous activists in Aotearoa New Zealand, Guatemala, New Caledonia, and Puerto Rico, the film exposes how the Doctrine became international law, targeting communities of color and enabling corporate forces driving the current climate crisis. Incorporated into U.S. law in 1823, the Doctrine of Discovery was also the origin of the transatlantic slave trade.