Park Service Finally Returning Sacred Object to Native Descendants
Published Date: 1/17/2025
Notice
Summary
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park plans to return a sacred stone pipe to a known Cherokee descendant starting February 18, 2025. This special item, linked to a historic Cherokee leader, will help keep Native American traditions alive. No costs or hazards are involved, just respect and care for cultural heritage.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Sacred stone pipe to be returned
The National Park Service plans to return one sacred stone pipe, reported to have been given to Colonel William Holland Thomas by Yonaguska and donated to the park in 1937, to a known Cherokee lineal descendant. The repatriation may occur on or after February 18, 2025. No hazardous substances are known to have been used to treat the item.
Others may request repatriation
Any lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization may submit a written request for the stone pipe by showing, by a preponderance of the evidence, that they are a lineal descendant or culturally affiliated. If competing requests are received, Great Smoky Mountains National Park will determine the most appropriate requestor before repatriation; joint requests are treated as a single request. Repatriation may occur on or after February 18, 2025.
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