Ball State Returns Tomahawk and Child Moccasins
Published Date: 6/22/2026
Notice
Summary
Ball State University plans to return five important Native American cultural items, including a tomahawk, child's moccasins, and beaded pouches, to the Sioux tribes. This repatriation can start on or after July 22, 2026, and helps honor Native heritage by giving these items back to their rightful communities. No money changes hands, but the university is making sure these treasures find their way home safely and respectfully.
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Repatriation may begin July 22, 2026
Ball State University intends to return five Native American cultural items and repatriation may occur on or after July 22, 2026. The notice makes those items eligible to be handed over starting that date.
Five items identified as cultural patrimony
Ball State University identified five objects as objects of cultural patrimony: one tomahawk (catalog 1938.500.150), one pair of child's moccasins (catalog 2018.051.022A-B), and three beaded pouches (catalogs 1975.017.027B, E, and F). The university determined these items have a cultural affiliation with the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe of South Dakota.
Who may request repatriation
Any lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization 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. Requests must be sent to the Ball State representative listed in the notice.
No money will change hands
The notice states that no money changes hands as part of this repatriation. The items will be returned to the appropriate requestor without financial exchange.
XRF testing and results sharing
Ball State University will perform requested XRF (X-ray fluorescence) testing on the items and will provide all test results to the requesting Tribal Nation. The university has no records indicating hazardous treatments but will run and share the tests.
Competing and joint repatriation requests
If competing repatriation requests are received, Ball State University must determine the most appropriate requestor before repatriation. Requests for joint repatriation are treated as a single request and are not considered competing requests.
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