Field Museum Returns Sacred Objects to Native Tribes
Published Date: 1/16/2025
Notice
Summary
The Field Museum in Chicago plans to return 54 sacred and culturally important Native American items to tribes connected to California, starting February 18, 2025. These items, collected over 120 years ago, include baskets, pipes, and game tools that are still important for Native traditions today. This repatriation honors Native American heritage and strengthens museum-tribe relationships without any cost impact.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Field Museum to Return 54 Native Items
The Field Museum in Chicago intends to repatriate 54 Native American cultural items on or after February 18, 2025. The group includes 19 sacred objects (for example, baskets, pipes, flutes, and human hair) and 35 objects of cultural patrimony; the items were collected in 1901 from Fresno, Madera, and Mariposa Counties in California. The notice says this return honors Native heritage and indicates no cost impact.
Who Can Request Repatriation
Any lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization may submit a written request for repatriation and must show by a preponderance of the evidence that they are culturally affiliated. If competing requests are received, the Field Museum will decide the most appropriate requestor; joint requests count as a single request. Repatriation may occur on or after February 18, 2025.
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Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-01011, Notice of Intended Repatriation: University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA
The University of California, Riverside plans to return 82 cultural items to Native American tribes and Native Hawaiian groups starting February 18, 2025. These items include pottery, tools, and other important artifacts collected during a 1965 archaeological project. This repatriation respects cultural heritage and strengthens relationships without any cost impact to the public.
Next: 2025-01013, Notice of Intended Disposition: Naval Weapons Station, Yorktown, VA
The Naval Weapons Station in Yorktown, VA, plans to return Native American human remains found on its land to the Pamunkey Indian Tribe or other eligible groups starting February 18, 2025. If no one claims the remains by January 16, 2026, they’ll be considered unclaimed. This is part of respecting Native American heritage and following important laws.