Dartmouth Museum Returns Sacred Ulu and Board to Inupiaq Family
Published Date: 5/19/2026
Notice
Summary
The Hood Museum of Art at Dartmouth College plans to return two sacred Native American items—a special ulu and cutting board—back to their rightful family starting June 18, 2026. These items were made by an Inupiaq artist in Alaska and are important for traditional ceremonies today. If you’re connected or want to learn more, you can reach out to the museum soon!
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Repatriation of Two Sacred Items
The Hood Museum of Art plans to return two sacred Native American items — an ulu and a cutting board — to a connected lineal descendant on or after June 18, 2026. The pieces were made by Kivetoruk James Moses (Inupiaq) in Shishmaref, AK and were donated to Dartmouth in 1966; the notice names MaryJane Litchard as connected to these items.
Who Can Request Repatriation
If you are a lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization, you may submit a written request for repatriation by showing, by a preponderance of the evidence, that you are the lineal descendant or culturally affiliated group. Requests must be sent to the Hood Museum authorized representative (Jami C. Powell) and repatriation may occur on or after June 18, 2026; competing requests will be resolved by the Hood Museum and joint requests count as a single request.
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