US Museums Accelerate Repatriation of Native American Artifacts and Remains
In response to new federal regulations set to take effect in early 2024, two prominent US museums have begun returning artifacts and human remains to Indigenous groups, effectively addressing gaps in the 1990 Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). The American Museum of Natural History has repatriated more than 100 human remains along with 90 items, leading to a temporary closure of its Eastern Woodlands and Great Plains exhibits. President Sean Decatur highlighted that consultations involved 50 stakeholders and noted 8 repatriations in 2024. Meanwhile, the Fowler Museum at UCLA returned 20 culturally important objects to the Warumungu community, with assistance from the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies. Director Silvia Forni reaffirmed the museum's ethical duty to restore looted artifacts, a commitment that spans generations.
Key facts
- American Museum of Natural History in New York repatriated over 100 human remains and 90 objects to Native Americans.
- The museum temporarily closed its Eastern Woodlands and Great Plains galleries to comply with new federal regulations.
- New federal regulations adopted in early 2024 close loopholes in the 1990 Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA).
- Museum president Sean Decatur reported consultations with about 50 stakeholders, 7 Indigenous delegations, and 8 repatriations completed in 2024.
- The museum is hiring new staff including two for human remains care, a director of collections programs, and a NAGPRA compliance officer.
- Fowler Museum at UCLA returned 20 culturally significant objects to the Warumungu community of Australia's Northern Territory.
- The repatriation was supported by the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies' Return of Cultural Heritage program.
- Fowler Museum director Silvia Forni stated the museum is a temporary custodian with an ethical responsibility to return looted objects.
Entities
Institutions
- American Museum of Natural History
- Fowler Museum at UCLA
- University of California
- Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies
- Wellcome Trust
- New York Times
- Artribune
Locations
- New York
- United States
- Los Angeles
- California
- Australia
- Northern Territory
- West Africa
- Asante kingdom