Museum Returns Sacred Drums and Rattles to Native Tribes
Published Date: 4/9/2026
Notice
Summary
The Bruce Museum in Greenwich, CT plans to return five sacred Native American cultural items, including umbilical cord holders, hand drums, and a rattle, to the tribes they belong to. This repatriation will start on or after May 11, 2026, following the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act. No money changes hands, but the museum is making sure these important objects go back home respectfully and on time.
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Repatriation of Five Sacred Objects
The Bruce Museum, Inc. intends to return five sacred Native American cultural items — two umbilical cord holders (one is a pair), two hand drums, and one rattle — to affiliated tribes and lineal descendants under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). Repatriation may occur on or after May 11, 2026; lineal descendants, Indian Tribes, or Native Hawaiian organizations may submit written requests to the museum and the museum will determine the appropriate requestor if competing requests are received. No money will change hands as part of the repatriation.
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