What's Happening?
The Boston Children's Museum has agreed to repatriate eight sacred Native Hawaiian objects following a request from Hui Iwi Kuamoʻo, a Hawaiian organization. The items include two wooden bowls, a water container, a traditional Hawaiian octopus lure, a bowling
stone ('Ulu Maika), a tapa beater (I'e Kuku), a net holder for a bowl (Koko), and a poi pounder (Pōhaku Ku'i 'Ai). This repatriation is being conducted under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), a federal law passed by Congress in 1990. NAGPRA mandates that institutions receiving federal funding, such as museums and universities, return ancestral remains, funerary objects, sacred objects, and other culturally significant items to lineal descendants, Native American tribes, and Native Hawaiian groups. The museum's president and CEO, Melissa Higgins, stated that the museum honored the request after reviewing the organization's detailed background context, acknowledging that they are not the arbiters of what is culturally significant for a Native Hawaiian group. This is not the first time the Boston Children's Museum has repatriated objects, having returned items to several Native American tribes in recent years, including the Onondaga Nation and Muscogee (Creek) Nation in 2024, and the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma and the Quapaw Nation in 2023.
Why It's Important?
This repatriation highlights the ongoing efforts to rectify historical injustices regarding the collection and display of Native American and Native Hawaiian cultural heritage in U.S. institutions. NAGPRA plays a crucial role in empowering Indigenous communities to reclaim their cultural patrimony, which is vital for the preservation of their traditions, spiritual practices, and identity. The act underscores the legal and ethical obligations of museums to engage in respectful and collaborative relationships with Indigenous groups. The return of these sacred objects to Hui Iwi Kuamoʻo signifies a step towards decolonizing museum collections and acknowledging the inherent rights of Indigenous peoples to their cultural property. It also sets a precedent for other institutions to proactively review their inventories and respond to repatriation requests, fostering greater transparency and accountability in the museum sector. The process demonstrates the importance of Indigenous organizations like Hui Iwi Kuamoʻo in conducting research and advocating for the return of their heritage, contributing to a broader movement of cultural revitalization and self-determination.
What's Next?
The Boston Children's Museum will proceed with the repatriation of the eight Native Hawaiian objects to Hui Iwi Kuamoʻo. The octopus lure, which was previously on display in the museum's 'Investigate' exhibit, has been removed and will be replaced with a label explaining the repatriation process. This action is likely to encourage other Native Hawaiian organizations and Native American tribes to continue reviewing museum inventories and submitting repatriation requests under NAGPRA. Institutions across the U.S. that receive federal funding will face continued scrutiny and pressure to comply with NAGPRA, potentially leading to more repatriations of artifacts and human remains. The National Park Service, which administers NAGPRA, will continue to oversee these processes. The museum's proactive approach may also inspire other museums to adopt similar policies of honoring requests when a clear geographic or cultural link is established, further advancing the principles of cultural equity and respect.
Beyond the Headlines
The repatriation of these sacred objects extends beyond a simple transfer of items; it represents a profound shift in the power dynamics between cultural institutions and Indigenous communities. Historically, museums often acquired such objects through means that are now recognized as unethical, contributing to the dispossession and cultural trauma of Indigenous peoples. This act of repatriation acknowledges the spiritual and cultural significance of these items to the Native Hawaiian community, recognizing them not merely as artifacts but as living components of their heritage. It challenges the traditional Western museum model, which often prioritizes collection and display over the cultural rights of origin communities. The detailed research conducted by Hui Iwi Kuamoʻo in their request highlights the intellectual labor and cultural expertise within Indigenous communities, asserting their authority over their own heritage. This ongoing process of repatriation fosters healing, reconciliation, and a more inclusive understanding of history and cultural stewardship in the United States.
