Nicole, we have completed two repatriation returns at the Indian Arts Research Center, School of American Research.

Both have been positive experiences.

It is not ethical for Museums to display, exhibit or to let researchers have access to items that are culturally sensitive or religious.  In other words, the items should be locked up and not accessible.  This obviously takes up valuable storage space, not to mention that it can be offensive for Native Peoples to know that the items are physically stored in your museum.

We have not had an unreasonable request yet.  In fact, most of the items that have been repatriated have been taken from the Pueblo's by one person, who claimed to had "taken things from old abandoned houses."  In fact, the houses were society houses used only during certain times of the year.  Esentially they were stolen by this one individual and then later given to my institution-we should have never had them.

Building positive relationships between Native communities and your Museum is critical when your collections represent their culture.  The repatriations we have completed have enabled us to build not only strong relations, but has helped with Native participation and visits, not to mention our educational programs.

I have lots of agreements, processes, etc.. about NAGPRA.  Please contact me if you would ever like to discuss.

Sincerely,
Christy Sturm
Collections Manager
School of American Research
505-954-7205

>>> "n. henderson" <[log in to unmask]> 04/15/00 01:56PM >>>
Hello,

I am currently writing a paper for a museum studies course on how NAGPRA
has affected museums, especially collection management. I would greatly
appreciate it if anyone out there could share with me how NAGPRA has
affected their museum. I am very interested in hearing positive stories,
since most of what I have been able to turn up has been negative. Thank
you very much!

Nicole Henderson

Nicole Henderson                e-mail: [log in to unmask] 
The University of Iowa          phone: 319 335-1818
Department of Geoscience        fax: 319 335-1821
121 Trowbridge Hall
Iowa City, IA 52242-1379

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