Field Museum to Repatriate 270 Hopi Artifacts After 120 Years
Published Date: 3/16/2026
Notice
Summary
The Field Museum in Chicago plans to return 270 cultural items, like pottery and jewelry, to the Hopi Tribe in Arizona starting April 15, 2026. These items were collected over 120 years ago and are important to the Hopi people. This repatriation respects Native American heritage and shows the museum’s commitment to doing the right thing.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
270 Hopi Cultural Items To Be Returned
The Field Museum intends to return 270 cultural items (ceramic vessels, bone and stone tools, shell objects, and jewelry) from Accession 745 (the Frank J. Wattron Collection) to the Hopi Tribe of Arizona. The repatriation may occur on or after April 15, 2026; the items were collected between July 1898 and April 1899 and are identified in museum records as Hopi.
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 to the Field Museum, but the requester must show by a preponderance of the evidence that they are a lineal descendant or culturally affiliated. Requests must be sent to the authorized representative at the Field Museum (contact information provided in the notice).
Museum Handles Competing and Joint Requests
If competing requests for repatriation are received, the Field Museum must determine the most appropriate requestor before repatriation; requests for joint repatriation are treated as a single request and not as competing. The Field Museum will send a copy of this notice to the identified Indian Tribes and consulting parties.
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