Yale Museum Prepares Two Ancestors for Return to Delaware Tribes
Published Date: 6/17/2025
Notice
Summary
The Yale Peabody Museum has finished checking its collection and found two Native American human remains linked to the Delaware Nation and Delaware Tribe of Indians. Starting July 17, 2025, these remains can be officially returned to the tribes. If you want to request the return, you need to contact the museum by sending a written request.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Museum Finds Two Native American Remains
The Yale Peabody Museum identified human remains representing at least two Native American individuals that are culturally affiliated with the Delaware Nation, Oklahoma and the Delaware Tribe of Indians. The remains were removed before 1868 by Dr. Gouverneur Emerson from a mound near Dover, Kent County, Delaware and were donated to the museum in 1868 or 1869; no associated funerary objects are present.
Repatriation Available Starting July 17, 2025
The notice states that repatriation of the human remains may occur on or after July 17, 2025. Tribes or eligible requestors may receive the remains beginning on that date.
Who Can Request Repatriation
The Yale Peabody Museum allows written repatriation requests from (1) any of the named Indian Tribes in the notice (the Delaware Nation and the Delaware Tribe of Indians) and (2) any lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization not named in the notice that proves cultural affiliation by a preponderance of the evidence. Requests that meet those criteria may be considered for repatriation.
How to Submit a Repatriation Request
Written requests for repatriation must be sent to Professor David Skelly, Director, Yale Peabody Museum, P.O. Box 208118, New Haven, CT 06520-8118, or by email to [email protected]. Requests must be in writing and will be considered for repatriation on or after July 17, 2025.
Competing and Joint Repatriation Requests
If the museum receives competing requests for repatriation, it must determine the most appropriate requestor before repatriation. Requests made jointly are treated as a single request and not as competing requests.
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