Ball State Totems Trek Home to Tsimshian Tribes
Published Date: 9/23/2026
Notice
Summary
Ball State University plans to return two important cultural items—a model totem carving and a totem carving—to Native American tribes starting October 23, 2026. These items, linked to the Tsimshian and other tribes, hold special cultural meaning and were donated to the university years ago. This repatriation respects Native traditions and involves no safety risks or costs to the public.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Two totem items to be repatriated
Ball State University intends to return two objects of cultural patrimony — one model totem carving and one totem carving — to affiliated Native groups. The repatriation may occur on or after October 23, 2026.
Affiliation with Metlakatla Indian Community
Ball State University determined the two items have ongoing cultural importance and identified a connection to the Metlakatla Indian Community, Annette Island Reserve. That affiliation is recorded in the notice as the cultural link for the items.
How to request repatriation and who may request
Additional written requests for repatriation must be sent to Chyan Gilaspy, Ball State University, Applied Anthropology Laboratories, 2000 W Riverside Avenue, Muncie, IN 47306, email [email protected]. Requests may be submitted by any lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization that shows by a preponderance of the evidence it is culturally affiliated; competing requests must be resolved by Ball State University and joint requests count as a single request.
No known hazardous treatments on items
Ball State University stated it is not aware of the presence of any potentially hazardous substances used to treat either cultural item. The notice therefore indicates no known public safety risk from those items.
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