Buffalo Museum Returns Cultural Treasures to Native Tribes Under Law
Published Date: 12/19/2025
Notice
Summary
The Buffalo Museum of Science plans to return two important Native American cultural items—a feather cape and a whale tooth necklace—to the tribes they belong to. This repatriation will start on or after January 20, 2026, honoring Native traditions and history. No money changes hands, but this is a big step in respecting Native heritage and keeping culture alive.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Museum will return two cultural items
The Buffalo Museum of Science intends to repatriate two objects of cultural patrimony (catalog numbers C4289 and C12934): a feather cape collected in 1893 and donated in 1923, and a whale tooth pendant and hair necklace. The museum has determined these items are culturally affiliated with the Edith Kanaka'ole Foundation and Hui Iwi Kuamo'o, and repatriation may occur on or after January 20, 2026.
Who may request repatriation and how
Any lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization not listed in the notice may submit a written request for repatriation if they show by a preponderance of the evidence that they are culturally affiliated. If competing requests are received, the Buffalo Society of Natural Sciences must determine the most appropriate requestor; joint requests are treated as a single request.
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