Missouri Society to Hand Back Sacred Rock Art to Tribes
Published Date: 12/17/2025
Notice
Summary
The Missouri Historical Society plans to return eight important Native American cultural items, including petroglyphs and pictographs, to the tribes connected to them. This repatriation will start on or after January 16, 2026, honoring Native American heritage and history. No money changes hands, but this is a big step in respecting cultural roots and correcting past removals.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Return of eight Native American items
The Missouri Historical Society intends to repatriate eight cultural items—four petroglyphs and four pictographs—that it has determined are objects of cultural patrimony and have a connection to The Osage Nation. The repatriation may occur on or after January 16, 2026, and no money will change hands.
Who may request repatriation
Any lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization not identified in the notice may submit a written request for repatriation by showing, by a preponderance of the evidence, that they are a lineal descendant or culturally affiliated. Requests must be sent to the authorized representative (Brady Wolf, Missouri Historical Society, 225 S Skinker Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63105, email [email protected]) and repatriation may occur on or after January 16, 2026.
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