Museum Set to Return 150-Year-Old Sacred Basket to Native Tribe
Published Date: 12/16/2025
Notice
Summary
The Indianapolis Museum of Art, also known as Newfields, plans to return a special basket made by the Yokuts people to the Tejon Indian Tribe. This basket, created between 1870 and 1910, holds deep cultural meaning and will be repatriated starting January 15, 2026. No money changes hands, but this is a big step in respecting Native American heritage.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
One Yokuts Basket Returned to Tejon Tribe
The Indianapolis Museum of Art (Newfields) intends to return one Yokuts basket (created 1870–1910) that is identified as an object of cultural patrimony to the Tejon Indian Tribe. The repatriation may occur on or after January 15, 2026, and no money is exchanged as part of this return.
Who Can Request the Basket Back
Any lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization not identified in the notice 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. If competing requests are received, the Indianapolis Museum of Art (Newfields) must decide the most appropriate requestor before repatriation; joint requests count as a single request.
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Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-22902, Notice of Intended Repatriation: Indianapolis Museum of Art, Inc. D.B.A. Newfields, Indianapolis, IN
The Indianapolis Museum of Art, also known as Newfields, plans to return 11 Native American cultural items like scepters and effigies to the tribes connected to them. These items were found in Tennessee and Kentucky and will be repatriated starting January 15, 2026. This respectful move honors Native American traditions and strengthens cultural ties without any cost impact.
Next: 2025-22904, Notice of Intended Repatriation: Indianapolis Museum of Art, Inc. D.B.A. Newfields, Indianapolis, IN
The Indianapolis Museum of Art, also known as Newfields, plans to return 18 Native American cultural items like pipes and stone tools to the tribes connected to them. This repatriation will start on or after January 15, 2026, and affects items found in Tennessee, Kentucky, and Alabama. No money changes hands, but this is a big step in respecting Native American heritage and history.