Chicago's Field Museum plans repatriation of Native funerary objects
Published Date: 4/18/2025
Notice
Summary
The Field Museum in Chicago is getting ready to return some Native American and Native Hawaiian cultural items to the right tribes and organizations. This move follows important laws that protect these sacred objects. The repatriation helps honor cultural heritage and strengthens relationships with the communities involved.
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Field Museum Returning Sacred Items
The Field Museum in Chicago intends to return certain Native American and Native Hawaiian cultural items that meet the definition of "unassociated funerary objects" to the Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations named in the notice, under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). This action gives the affiliated tribes and organizations legal possession and access to those culturally affiliated items.
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The University of Florida’s museum finished checking its collection and found that some human remains belong to Native American tribes or Native Hawaiian groups. This means they’ll work on returning these remains to the right communities. If you’re part of these tribes or groups, now’s the time to connect and help with the process—no money changes hands, just respect and care.