NY's Natural History Museum to Return Tribal Human Remains
Published Date: 3/27/2025
Notice
Summary
The American Museum of Natural History has finished checking its collection and found that some human remains belong to Native American tribes and Native Hawaiian groups. This means these remains will be returned to their rightful communities soon. If you’re part of these groups, keep an eye out for updates and possible meetings about the process.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Museum identifies Native ancestral remains
The American Museum of Natural History completed an inventory under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) and determined that some human remains are culturally affiliated with Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations. The notice indicates those remains are to be repatriated to their affiliated tribes or organizations.
Affiliated groups to get updates and meetings
The notice advises affiliated Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations to expect updates and possible meetings about the repatriation process following the inventory completion under NAGPRA. If you belong to those groups, you should watch for communication from the museum about next steps.
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