Art Center Returns Sacred Wooden Mask to Cherokee After 14 Years
Published Date: 4/4/2025
Notice
Summary
The Ralph T Coe Center for the Arts in Santa Fe plans to return a sacred wooden mask to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians starting May 5, 2025. This mask, gifted to the center in 2011, is important for traditional Native American religious practices. No money changes hands, but this respectful repatriation honors cultural heritage and strengthens community ties.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Sacred wooden mask returned to Cherokee
The Ralph T Coe Center for the Arts intends to repatriate one sacred wooden mask (catalog NA1012) to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. The transfer may occur on or after May 5, 2025; the mask was acquired by the Coe Center as a gift from Ralph T. Coe in 2011.
Who may request repatriation and process
Any lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization may submit a written request for repatriation by showing by a preponderance of the evidence that they are a lineal descendant or culturally affiliated. If competing requests are received, the Ralph T Coe Center must determine the most appropriate requestor; joint repatriation requests are treated as a single request. Repatriation may occur on or after May 5, 2025.
No hazardous treatments found on mask
The Ralph T Coe Center for the Arts reports there are no known hazardous substances used to treat the wooden mask (NA1012).
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