Harvard Returns Tribal Hair Clippings from Old School
Published Date: 4/4/2025
Notice
Summary
Harvard's Peabody Museum has finished checking its collection and found six human hair samples linked to the Creek tribe from a school in Oklahoma. These remains can be returned to the tribe starting May 5, 2025. This means the museum is ready to give back these important cultural items, respecting Native American heritage.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Six Creek-identified hair samples cataloged
Harvard’s Peabody Museum identified human remains consisting of six hair clippings from individuals recorded as two 18-year-olds, two 17-year-olds, and two 16-year-olds identified as “Creek.” The hair was collected at the Chilocco Indian Agricultural School between 1930 and 1933, sent to the museum in 1935, and the museum has determined a cultural affiliation with The Muscogee (Creek) Nation.
Repatriation requests allowed starting May 5, 2025
The Peabody Museum may repatriate these human remains on or after May 5, 2025. Repatriation requests may be submitted by The Muscogee (Creek) Nation, any lineal descendant, or another tribe or Native Hawaiian organization that shows cultural affiliation; if competing requests are received, the museum will decide the most appropriate requestor.
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