Wisconsin Historical Society Repatriates Tribal Artifacts
Published Date: 12/22/2025
Notice
Summary
The Wisconsin Historical Society plans to return nine important Native American cultural items, including sacred objects and a funerary pendant, to the tribes connected to them. This repatriation can start on or after January 21, 2026, helping honor Native heritage and respect cultural traditions. No money changes hands, but the timing is set to make sure these treasures find their way home soon.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Nine Native items to be returned
The Wisconsin Historical Society intends to return nine Native American cultural items — eight objects of cultural patrimony and one unassociated funerary object — that have a cultural affiliation with Indian Tribes, including a connection to the Stockbridge Munsee Community. These items include wampum, brooches, a beaded pouch, a firemaking set, bags, garters, and a stone pendant.
Legal classification of the items
The Wisconsin Historical Society has determined that eight of the sets are objects of cultural patrimony and one is an unassociated funerary object. Those determinations connect the items to Native American traditional knowledge and cultural affiliation.
Repatriation timing set
Repatriation of the cultural items in this notice may occur on or after January 21, 2026. The date gives affiliated tribes and potential claimants a clear earliest date for transfer.
Repatriation will involve no payment
The notice states that no money changes hands as part of this repatriation. The transfer of the cultural items is intended to occur without a monetary transaction.
Who may request repatriation
Any lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization may submit a written request for repatriation by showing, by a preponderance of the evidence, that they are a lineal descendant or culturally affiliated. If competing requests are received, the Wisconsin Historical Society must determine the most appropriate requestor prior to repatriation; joint requests count as a single request.
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