Hastings Museum Continues Work with Tribal Nations.

HASTINGS, Neb., — The Hastings Museum is continuing its work with Tribal Nations and lineal descendants to review Native American ancestors and cultural items in the Museum’s collections through the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA).

NAGPRA establishes a process for museums and other institutions to work with Tribal Nations and lineal descendants to identify, consult on, and return Native American ancestors, funerary objects, sacred objects, and objects of cultural patrimony. The law also requires museums to consult with Native Nations and descendants about the appropriate care, treatment, handling, exhibition, and research of Native American cultural items and ancestors.

For the Hastings Museum, this work is about more than fulfilling a federal requirement. It is an opportunity to build relationships with Tribal Nations, listen to Native American traditional knowledge and perspectives, and ensure that decisions about Native American ancestors and cultural heritage are made with the people and communities to whom they belong.

“We recognize that the Museum’s collections hold objects and ancestors connected to Native Nations and families, and we have a responsibility to approach that history with respect,” said Sarah Minshew, Curator of Collections and Institutional NAGPRA Representative. “This process gives us the opportunity to listen, learn, and work alongside Tribal Nations and descendants to determine what should happen with these items and how Native American history and culture should be represented at the Museum.”

The Museum’s consultation work includes reviewing collection records and researching the history and origins of objects and ancestors, identifying Tribal Nations and lineal descendants who may have a cultural or legal connection, and inviting them to participate in consultation. Tribal representatives, historians, Elders, Traditional Knowledge Keepers, and descendants may participate depending on the items being reviewed. 

Through consultation, Tribal Nations and descendants may determine that cultural items or ancestors should be returned through the repatriation process. In other cases, a Nation may choose to leave an item in the Museum’s care while providing guidance on its storage, display, and interpretation. Decisions are made through the consultation process and are not determined by the Museum alone.