Intro

The American Museum of Natural History as well as other museums will be closing major halls exhibiting Native American pieces. This was stated as a dramatic response from its leaders due to the new federal regulations on Friday (1/26/24). 

Regulations

New federal regulations are requiring museums to obtain consent from tribes before displaying or performing research on cultural items. Some native tribes have stated that items including weapons and pottery that are held in museums are priceless artifacts. This is because they are important to not only their cultural heritage but also identity and their role in religious healing practices. 

Despite this new regulation, these artifacts still are vulnerable to theft. Kurt Riley, governor of Pueblo of Acoma states that “These items of cultural patrimony, these aren’t items of art. They have life. When we see them being sold, it’s like they are taking a piece of our family.” Due to this statement, and many others, the federal regulations now state that museums must return certain Native American items unless they can prove that they have the right to possess the objects. 

Museums Closing Exhibits 

Due to the new federal regulations, many museums are being forced to take down exhibits. Here are a few of the museums who have stated this change:

• Denver Museum of Nature and Science 
• The Field Museum in Chicago
• Harvard University (has a variety of Native remains)
• Indiana University at Bloomington (has a collection of Native remains)

Conclusion

These new federal regulations have forced the change upon many museums, and will continue to do so. So far, many museums have stated the change, and will no longer be holding these exhibits.

Cites

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/26/arts/design/american-museum-of-natural-history-nagpra.html#:~:text=The%20American%20Museum%20of%20Natural%20History%20will%20close%20two%20major,performing%20research%20on%20cultural%20items.

https://www.gao.gov/blog/efforts-protect-and-repatriate-native-american-cultural-items-and-human-remains

https://www.chronicle.com/article/3-universities-hold-vast-collections-of-native-american-remains-returning-them-is-taking-decades#:~:text=In%20addition%20to%20Berkeley%2C%20Harvard,belongings%20have%20been%20taken%20prisoner.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Famericanindian.si.edu%2Fexplore&psig=AOvVaw0A7FNglf_BTRrvq3svdg4W&ust=1706375732431000&source=images&cd=vfe&opi=89978449&ved=0CBEQjRxqFwoTCJC2n4_H-4MDFQAAAAAdAAAAABAH