Dear Adrienne,

Have you considered turning this around?  "Science" will
suffer if museums don't  graciously return cultural property
which does not ethically belong in public collections.  Legal
technicalities shouldn't be our only guidance, but rather we can
attempt to do the right thing.  I was recently involved in
negotiations which resulted in the return of important ceremonial
objects to a family.  The museum couldn't display them as they are
private, sacred property.  However, these objects are extremely
important to the family, representing a strong connection to their past.
I sincerely believe that the goodwill generated by willingly returning
them will serve us in ways yet to be seen.  We wouldn't have empty
store rooms with nothing left to study, we'll have richer
relationships with so much more to share.


I guess my Museum-L lurking days just ended.


Ann Stevenson
Collections Manager (on Leave)
UBC Museum of Anthropology
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