Museum to Return Chief Black Coal's Pipe Bowl and Stem
Published Date: 10/16/2026
Notice
Summary
The University of Pennsylvania Museum plans to return two sacred Native American items—a red pipe bowl and wooden pipe stem linked to Northern Arapaho leader Chief Black Coal—back to the rightful tribes. This repatriation can start on or after November 16, 2026, helping Native communities reconnect with important cultural objects. No money changes hands, but the museum is making sure these treasures go home where they belong.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Two sacred pipe parts to be returned
The University of Pennsylvania Museum intends to return two sacred items — a red catlinite pipe bowl (PM# NA3942A) and a wooden pipe stem (PM# NA3942B) associated with Chief Black Coal (c. 1839–1893) — to tribes with a cultural affiliation. The museum states repatriation may occur on or after November 16, 2026, and no money will be exchanged in the transfer.
How tribes or descendants can request repatriation
Any lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization may submit a written request for the items to Dr. Christopher Woods at the University of Pennsylvania Museum; the requester must show by a preponderance of the evidence that they are a lineal descendant or culturally affiliated. The Penn Museum will consider competing requests (joint requests are treated as a single request) and may repatriate the items on or after November 16, 2026.
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