Buffalo Bill Museum Returns Sacred Native Items: Cowboy Karma?
Published Date: 9/9/2026
Notice
Summary
In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the Buffalo Bill Center of the West intends to repatriate certain cultural items that meet the definition of sacred objects and that have a cultural affiliation with the Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations in this notice.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Museum intends to repatriate two sacred objects
The Buffalo Bill Center of the West intends to repatriate two cultural items (a stone and pouch, catalog NA.800.219) that the museum has determined are sacred objects with a cultural affiliation to the Crow Tribe of Montana. The determination and intended repatriation are made under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA).
Repatriation may occur starting October 9, 2026
Repatriation of the two cultural items may occur on or after October 9, 2026. That date is the earliest the Buffalo Bill Center of the West may transfer the items to an authorized requestor.
Who may request repatriation and evidence standard
Any lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization not identified in this notice 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 Hunter C. Old Elk at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West (720 Sheridan Avenue, Cody, WY 82414) or by email at [email protected].
Competing requests and joint repatriation rules
If competing written requests for the cultural items are received, the Buffalo Bill Center of the West must determine the most appropriate requestor before repatriation; requests for joint repatriation are treated as a single (non-competing) request. The museum is required to send a copy of this notice to the identified Indian Tribes and consulting parties.
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