A treasured jacket of profound cultural and personal significance has been lost at Montreal's Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport, prompting a public plea for its return from a respected Mi'kmaq leader.
A Garment of Honour and History
Stephen Augustine, a Hereditary Chief of the Elsipogtog First Nation and a former Associate Vice-President at Canadian Museum of History The loss is deeply felt, as the jacket represented a physical timeline of Chief Augustine's contributions to Indigenous education and cultural preservation. Its unique nature makes it irreplaceable, holding sentimental value that far exceeds any monetary worth. The disappearance occurred within the bustling environment of the Montreal airport, a major travel hub. Chief Augustine is now reaching out to the public, airport staff, and anyone who may have encountered the jacket. He hopes that its distinctive appearance, covered in honours, will help someone recall seeing it. The appeal underscores the importance of community assistance in recovering items of deep cultural heritage. For Indigenous leaders, such regalia and adorned clothing are crucial for ceremonial purposes and for representing their nation's history and status at official functions. This incident highlights the profound connection between material culture and intangible heritage within Indigenous communities. Objects like Chief Augustine's jacket are not merely possessions; they are repositories of memory and identity. As a Hereditary Chief and a Grand Chief, Stephen Augustine has played a significant role in national Indigenous affairs, notably seen during events like the Assembly of First Nations' annual general meeting in 2014. The loss of such a personally and culturally significant item is a poignant reminder of the importance of safeguarding heritage in all its forms. Anyone with information about the missing jacket is urged to come forward to help return this important piece of personal and cultural history to its rightful owner.A Plea for Assistance in Montreal
The Significance Beyond the Object
