Museum Plans Return of Baskets, Fire Sticks, and Comb
Published Date: 6/17/2025
Notice
Summary
The Gunn Memorial Library and Museum in Washington, CT, plans to return four important Native American cultural items—baskets, fire sticks, and a comb—to the rightful tribes starting July 17, 2025. These items, linked to Native groups from the Northwestern coast, were collected over 20 years and have deep cultural meaning. This repatriation respects Native traditions and involves no costs or hazards.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Four cultural items to be returned
The Gunn Memorial Library and Museum has determined four objects of cultural patrimony — baskets, fire sticks, and a comb — are affiliated with the Snoqualmie Indian Tribe and intends to repatriate them. The repatriation may occur on or after July 17, 2025 and the items were collected and donated to the museum between 1879 and 1908.
Who may request repatriation
Any lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization may submit a written request to repatriate these items to the Gunn Memorial Library and Museum if they show by a preponderance of the evidence that they are a lineal descendant or culturally affiliated. Requests must be sent to the museum and repatriation may occur on or after July 17, 2025.
Items have no known hazards
Museum records indicate the four cultural items have no known hazardous substances, meaning they can be repatriated without identified contamination concerns. The notice states there are no known hazards associated with these items.
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