Duke's art museum to return tribal grave goods
Published Date: 8/24/2026
Notice
Summary
In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University intends to repatriate certain cultural items that meet the definition of unassociated funerary objects and that have a cultural affiliation with the Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations in this notice.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Museum Intends Repatriation to Quapaw Nation
The Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University intends to repatriate four unassociated funerary objects that the museum has determined are affiliated with the Quapaw Nation. The four items are three dish-shaped pottery vessels (1973.44.9, 1973.44.10, 1973.44.15) and one pottery vessel, bat effigy (1973.44.14); they were offered to the museum in 1973 and repatriation may occur on or after September 23, 2026.
How Other Tribes or Descendants Can Request Items
Any lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization not identified in the notice may send additional written requests for repatriation to Bryan Hilley, Senior Associate Registrar, Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University, 2001 Campus Drive, Durham, NC 27705 or email [email protected]. Requestors must show by a preponderance of the evidence that they are a lineal descendant or culturally affiliated organization; repatriation may occur on or after September 23, 2026, and the museum must resolve any competing requests before repatriation.
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