Philly's Mütter Museum of Oddities to Repatriate Native American Human Remains
Published Date: 3/18/2025
Notice
Summary
The Mütter Museum in Philadelphia has finished checking its collection and found human remains linked to Native American tribes. Starting April 17, 2025, these remains can be returned to the tribes. This update affects the museum, the tribes, and anyone interested in respectful handling of these important cultural items.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Museum Identifies 3 Native Hawaiian Remains
The Mütter Museum identified human remains representing at least three individuals and determined they are of Native Hawaiian ancestry. The museum found a radius, a cranium, and a placenta-derived corrosion and determined a cultural affiliation with the Hui Iwi Kuamo'o.
Who Can Request Repatriation and When
Repatriation may occur on or after April 17, 2025. Requests can be submitted by any one or more of the Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations identified in the notice, or by a lineal descendant or other Indian Tribe/Native Hawaiian organization that demonstrates cultural affiliation by a preponderance of the evidence.
Museum Decides Among Competing Repatriation Requests
If competing requests for repatriation are received, the Mütter Museum must determine the most appropriate requestor before repatriation. Requests for joint repatriation are treated as a single request, not competing requests.
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