UC San Diego Returns Historic Kiowa Artist Ledger Books to Tribe
Published Date: 4/18/2025
Notice
Summary
The University of California San Diego plans to return three important cultural items—historical ledger books and a sketchbook—back to the Kiowa tribe. These items, created by Kiowa artists in the late 1800s, hold deep cultural meaning. The repatriation can start on or after May 19, 2025, with no money involved, just respect and history coming home.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Three Kiowa cultural items to be returned
The University of California San Diego intends to return three cultural items (two Kiowa-Finley ledger books and one Koba-Russell sketchbook) created by Kiowa authors in the late 1800s. The repatriation may occur on or after May 19, 2025, and the university states the return involves no money.
Who may request repatriation and how
Any lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization may submit a written request for repatriation if they show by a preponderance of the evidence that they are a lineal descendant or culturally affiliated. Repatriation may occur on or after May 19, 2025; competing requests must be resolved by the University of California San Diego, and joint requests are treated as a single request.
University finds items are cultural patrimony
The University of California San Diego determined the three items meet the definition of objects of cultural patrimony and that there is a reasonable connection between the items and the Kiowa Indian Tribe of Oklahoma. The determination supports repatriation under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA).
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