Yale Museum Plans Repatriation of 146 Items to New Mexico Tribes
Published Date: 10/22/2026
Notice
Summary
The Yale Peabody Museum plans to return 146 Native American cultural items, like pottery and copper pieces, to tribes connected to New Mexico. This repatriation will start on or after November 23, 2026, honoring Native American heritage and laws. No money changes hands, but this is a big step in respecting tribal history and culture.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Return of 146 Native objects
The Yale Peabody Museum intends to repatriate 146 unassociated funerary objects to Indian Tribes with cultural affiliation. The repatriation may occur on or after November 23, 2026.
Specific tribes identified as affiliated
The notice identifies a connection between the 146 items and the following groups: Hopi Tribe of Arizona; Navajo Nation (Arizona, New Mexico, & Utah); Ohkay Owingeh; Pueblo of Acoma; Pueblo of Cochiti; Pueblo of Isleta; Pueblo of Jemez; Pueblo of Laguna; Pueblo of Nambe; Pueblo of Picuris; Pueblo of Pojoaque; Pueblo of San Felipe; Pueblo of San Ildefonso; Pueblo of Sandia; Pueblo of Santa Ana; Pueblo of Santa Clara; Pueblo of Taos; Pueblo of Tesuque; Pueblo of Zia; Santo Domingo Pueblo; Ysleta del Sur Pueblo; and the Zuni Tribe of the Zuni Reservation, New Mexico.
How tribes or descendants can request items
Any lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization may submit a written request for repatriation by showing a preponderance of the evidence that they are culturally affiliated. Requests must be sent to Professor David Skelly, Director, Yale Peabody Museum, P.O. Box 208118, New Haven, CT 06520-8118, or by the listed email. Repatriation may occur on or after November 23, 2026; competing requests must be resolved by the Yale Peabody Museum, and joint requests are treated as a single request.
No monetary exchange for repatriation
The repatriation described involves no exchange of money; the museum intends to return the items without financial transactions.
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