Denver Museum to Return Sacred Bundles and Prayer Reeds to Tribes
Published Date: 12/17/2025
Notice
Summary
The Denver Museum of Nature and Science plans to return eight sacred Native American cultural items, like medicine bundles and prayer reeds, to the tribes and Native Hawaiian groups they belong to. This repatriation can start on or after January 16, 2026, and helps honor and respect Native traditions. If you want to learn more or request repatriation, the museum is ready to hear from you.
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Eight Sacred Items Returned to Seminole Tribes
The Denver Museum of Nature and Science intends to return eight sacred Native American cultural items — one medicine bundle, one medicine tube, two medicine roots, and four prayer reeds — to affiliated tribes. The museum notes a cultural affiliation with the Seminole Tribe of Florida and the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma, and repatriation may occur on or after January 16, 2026. Written repatriation requests may be sent to Michele Koons at Denver Museum of Nature & Science, 2001 Colorado Blvd., Denver, CO 80205, or by the museum email listed in the notice.
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