BY MIC BUCHWITZ AND KYLIE BARKLEY
In early October, the Graduate Museum Studies Club and the Native American and Indigenous Studies program (NAIS), under the guidance of Dr. Holly Cusack-McVeigh and Charmayne ‘Charli’ Champion-Shaw, hosted a tribal delegation from the Great Plains region. The delegates spoke to IUI students addressing the question of Why Repatriation Matters. The timing of the panel was particularly significant because it took place between two important dates. The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, or Orange Shirt Day, took place on September 30th in Canada and the United States and Indigenous Peoples’ Day took place in the United States on October 14th. Orange Shirt Day honors and remembers the many Indigenous children forcibly removed from their homes and sent to Indian boarding schools in the United States and Canada. IUI students and invited guests from Indianapolis museums wore orange ribbons to commemorate Orange Shirt Day.
The main topic of this panel was centered around repatriation. Repatriation is the process of returning cultural artifacts, sacred objects, and ancestral remains to their home country or community of origin. Many museums and institutions recognize the importance of returning these items to their rightful owners, as it can help rectify historical injustices, foster relationships with Indigenous and local communities, and bring healing. Repatriated items can serve as tangible links between generations, allowing younger members of the community to connect with their history and heritage. By returning ancestors, sacred objects, and cultural artifacts, communities can bridge the gap between past and present, allowing younger generations to engage with their heritage in ways that were previously not available to them.
The tribal panelists emphasized that repatriation empowers communities to take back control of their narratives and cultural resources, fostering agency and self-determination. Under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) of 1990, federal agencies and institutions must return ancestral remains and cultural items to Native American tribes. Additionally, Tribal Historic Preservation Offices (THPOs) play a critical role in this process. Established under NAGPRA and the National Historic Preservation Act, THPOs help manage their cultural resources and advocate for the protection of their heritage. The delegation explained that this has provided tribal communities with the tools to engage actively in preservation efforts, ensuring that their voices are heard in decisions affecting their cultural legacy.
Towards the end of the discussion, the panelists issued a call to action for emerging museum professionals. Museum workers should always be respectful when handling objects that belong to Indigenous nations. In particular, the panelists advised the audience to acknowledge the people who made and used these objects and follow protocols determined by Indigenous Elders.
Members of the delegation also pointed out that museum professionals should implement land acknowledgments into their work since they lead to reconciliation and healing. During the Q&A portion of the discussion, the panelists expressed the importance of seeking out information from Indigenous authors and giving credit to Indigenous Elders and authors. In the past, Euro-American scholars did not cite information provided by Indigenous sources in their work.
The tribal delegates also emphasized that “we’re not relics…we’re still here”. Today, private collectors sell Indigenous belongings through auctions and museums continue to hold onto Indigenous objects and ancestral remains despite NAGPRA regulations. Therefore, it is essential that emerging museum professionals establish partnerships with Indigenous nations, especially if they are involved with repatriation efforts. This panel discussion allowed students to learn about repatriation from an Indigenous perspective and to gain a deeper understanding of why repatriation matters. We would like to thank the delegation for sharing their knowledge, teachings, and stories with us!
Charli Champion-Shaw gave an additional call to action to close out the program. “With this knowledge, you have a responsibility…take this knowledge into the places you go and [help Indigenous nations] with their fight [to repatriate their ancestors and protect their lands]”.
November is National American Indian Heritage Month in the United States. To learn more about becoming an ally by supporting Indigenous groups fighting to protect their cultures and traditions, visit the Association on American Indian Affairs. This resource provides information about how to meaningfully celebrate National American Indian Heritage Month, how to build partnerships with tribal museums and cultural centers, and ways to support Native-owned businesses.
Kylie Barkley is a first year graduate student in the Museum Studies Program at Indiana University Indianapolis.
McKayla “Mic” Buchwitz is a second year graduate student in the Museum Studies Program at Indiana University Indianapolis.
Photo: Gabriel Dalton “A Protestor Holding a Signage” via pexels.com
