last week, American Museum of Natural History in New York We began removing artifacts and covering the Native American exhibits, and notified visitors that Friday, January 26, was the last day to view the Native American exhibits.
Biden administration regulations
Under the Biden administration, the Department of the Interior revised the current American Indian Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) regulations. The updated rules went into effect on January 12, 2024. Items will be returned to their rightful tribe for proper care.
new regulations Greater respect for indigenous tribes in relation to lineal descendants, burial goods, and “culturally unrelated human remains.”
Currently, museums and federally funded institutions must return these items to their rightful owners by January 2029, and are working with tribal leaders to determine what will one day be returned to museums. I need to consult.
mixed reaction
news Upset many who were enjoying the visit Native American Division of AMNH. One museum visitor said: “People come here to learn and see exhibits. If it’s not open to the public, it deprives the public of an opportunity to learn about a culture that is historically very important to this country.”
“New Yorkers should have had a chance to say goodbye,” said another visitor, who requested anonymity.
Still, some understood the significance of this moment in giving up property that truly belonged to Native American tribes across the country.
Camila Shaper of Harlem praised the museum for removing Native American artifacts, calling it “the right thing to do.” It belongs to different tribes, and they decide our interests and theirs. ”
Another visitor said, “The policy is to get permission from the descendants of the artifact. I think it’s appropriate. It will come back in another form. In any case, the exhibit will be updated.”
A tribal leader’s perspective
It wasn’t just ordinary people who did this. give your opinion Regarding the entry into force of new regulations.
Mayra Maciel-Zamora “Finally, our voices are being heard, and it’s not a fight, it’s a conversation,” said the archaeologist and curator of the Pechanga Indian Band. ‘I hope there is no backlash.’
As of 2023, the remains of an estimated 96,000 people are stored at the facility and will be returned to scheduled tribes.
But Scott Willard, who oversees repatriation issues for the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma, is concerned about finding items to house in museums given the new regulations. Says, “The idea of a garage sale, ‘Let everything go now,’ is very offensive to us.” Willard said he was concerned that people might view items returned to the museum as “disposable items.” But that’s not the image the tribe wants to project.
