The American Museum of Natural History in New York City has announced the closure of two major halls featuring Native American objects, a significant move in response to new federal regulations. These regulations mandate museums to obtain consent from tribes for displaying or researching cultural items. Sean Decatur, the museum’s president, stated this decision aligns with a growing recognition of the need to respect Indigenous perspectives and shared humanity.
The halls dedicated to the Eastern Woodlands and the Great Plains, along with several other displays, will be temporarily inaccessible as the museum reviews its collection to ensure compliance with the regulations. This action is part of a broader trend among U.S. museums, with institutions like the Field Museum in Chicago and Harvard University’s Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology taking similar steps to reassess their exhibits.
The museum’s decision is notable given its status as one of the most visited museums globally, with a prestigious anthropology department. Nearly 10,000 square feet of exhibition space will be off-limits, impacting educational programs such as student field trips. Decatur emphasized that the closures are not just about removing objects but reflect a change in how museums engage with changing ideas and values.
This shift stems from the Biden administration’s efforts to expedite the repatriation of Native American remains and sacred items, building on the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) of 1990. The recent regulatory changes, effective this month, aim to speed up returns and give more authority to tribes in the process. Museums across the country are preparing for these changes, often involving extensive consultations with tribal representatives.
The impact of these regulations is significant. Museums are reviewing their holdings, which include not only human remains but also sacred objects and cultural items. Some institutions have expressed concerns about the new rules potentially overreaching into collection management practices, but there has been minimal public pushback since their implementation.
Critics have previously condemned the slow pace of repatriation, prompting public scrutiny of institutions like the American Museum of Natural History. The museum has repatriated the remains of approximately 1,000 individuals in over 30 years but still holds the remains of about 2,200 Native Americans and thousands of funerary objects.
The new rules underscore a shift in attitude towards Indigenous cultural heritage in museums. They emphasize respect for Native American traditional knowledge and prioritize the return of culturally significant items to their rightful communities. This change is seen as a move towards healing and closure for Indigenous peoples, acknowledging the dignity of their ancestors and cultural heritage.
As the American Museum of Natural History and others adapt to these new requirements, the landscape of museum exhibits featuring Native American items is set to undergo a profound transformation. This reflects a growing awareness of the need for ethical stewardship of cultural heritage and a commitment to respecting the rights and histories of Indigenous communities.
