Across the country, museums have had to remove or cover up parts of exhibits following updated guidelines to the federal Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA).

Last month, the Field Museum covered many displays in its Ancient Americas and Northwest Coast and Arctic Peoples exhibits.

The updated federal regulations require museums to obtain “free, prior and informed consent” from affiliated tribes before displaying or doing research on Native human remains or cultural items.  

Matthew Bussler, tribal historic preservation officer of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians in Michigan, is one of three NAGPRA designees for his tribe. His tribe, along with others, was involved in passing the Human Remains Protections Act in Illinois last year, which aims to streamline efforts to return Native American remains and cultural items to their origin.

While Bussler hasn’t seen major changes in his role since the new federal regulations went into effect, he expects an influx of museums and institutions to reach out either to engage in the NAGPRA process or to inquire about cultural items.

“Tribes need to be in control of what is being displayed and the narrative behind those exhibits, and tribal voices must inform their own story,” Bussler said. “Museums should no longer be telling the story for us.”

The new federal guidelines went into effect Jan. 12.

The Field Museum stated in a news release last month, “These display cases have been covered because they contain cultural items that could be subject to these updated NAGPRA regulations. There are no Native American human remains on display at the Field Museum.”

The news release continues, “The Field Museum is committed not only to compliance with NAGPRA but to consultation and collaboration with affiliated communities whose heritage is represented in our galleries.”

Contact Eunice Alpasan: @eunicealpasan | 773-509-5362 | [email protected]