List Members: I am doing research involving NAGPRA and would like to get some ideas from the group. Recently I visited a museum with a large Native American collection with a friend of mine who is Native American. He and I were discussing repatriation, I told him that I felt torn, because without the objects a museum loses the "tools" necessary to educate. I suggested to him that perhaps with the permission of the tribes, museums could reproduce the sacred objects while returning the original pieces to their rightful owners. He said, "Sarah, it doesen't matter if you make the item, or I do; it still has power." My question to you is this: Do you believe objects themselves hold power, or are they only powerful to the believer? If sacred objects are loaned to museums is there a "respectful" way to present them to the public to convey their importance, or is it more appropriate to give every object equal value? I would appreciate hearing your thoughts on this.... Sarah M. [log in to unmask]