Oklahoma Museum Returns Sacred Pueblo Prayer Offerings to New Mexico Tribes
Published Date: 12/18/2025
Notice
Summary
The Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History plans to return 13 sacred prayer offerings to the Pueblo of Acoma and Pueblo of Laguna, New Mexico, starting January 20, 2026. These items were taken from a shrine site and are officially recognized as culturally important. This repatriation respects Native American heritage and involves no cost to the tribes.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Return of 13 Sacred Prayer Offerings
The Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History intends to return 13 sacred prayer offerings to the Pueblo of Acoma and the Pueblo of Laguna. The repatriation may occur on or after January 20, 2026, and the objects have been identified as culturally affiliated and sacred to those Pueblos.
Historic Chemical Residue Noted on Items
The notice states the Ethnology Collection was exposed in storage to Paradichlorobenzene, Naphthalene, and Vapona (active ingredient dichlorvos/DDVP) and that fumigations using Vapo-Mist 500 occurred from 1983–1985. It notes chemical remnants may have remained on objects, cabinets, or furniture.
Who May Request Repatriation and Process
Any lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization not named 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. SNOMNH will decide between competing requests and considers joint requests a single request; repatriation may occur on or after January 20, 2026.
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