International and Domestic Returns Beyond NAGPRA
International and Domestic Returns Beyond NAGPRA
The Peabody Museum is committed to a holistic program of ethical stewardship of the collections in its care. In some cases, ethical stewardship can only truly be achieved by returning cultural items and/or ancestral remains to their community of origin. To this end, the museum embraces an open and transparent framework through which groups may submit requests for returns beyond the legal requirements of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA).
Background
From the very beginnings of the University, collections have played a central role in Harvard’s commitment to advance knowledge and pioneer new ways of learning. Harvard’s museums and libraries have provided wide-ranging access to these collections for scholars, students, and the public; however, we cannot – and should not – continue to pursue these activities in ignorance of our history. Undoubtedly, Harvard has directly benefited from collecting practices that largely ignored the wishes and values of communities and, as a result, we care for collections with provenances that are contrary to the present-day values of the University. Today, we intend to responsibly address requests for the return of ancestors and cultural items beyond NAGPRA.
Our commitment aligns with the moral commitments of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), specifically Article 12, Section 1, which states, “Indigenous peoples have the right to manifest, practise, develop and teach their spiritual and religious traditions, customs and ceremonies; the right to maintain, protect, and have access in privacy to their religious and cultural sites; the right to the use and control of their ceremonial objects; and the right to the repatriation of their human remains.”
Policy Changes
To address the repatriation of cultural items and/or ancestral remains (once it is determined NAGPRA does not apply), Harvard University developed specific guidelines and recommendations that inform our process:
Cultural Items beyond NAGPRA:
In 2022, Harvard University published guidelines on the Consideration of Claims for the Return of Items in Harvard University Collections. From these guidelines, the Peabody has implemented its approach, which focuses on requests by international communities for the return of cultural items and operates alongside NAGPRA to provide a structure for Indigenous groups in the United States to request the return of cultural items not covered under existing federal law. Requests are reviewed by the museum advisory committees and the Peabody's director.
Ancestral Remains beyond NAGPRA:
Harvard President Lawrence Bacow appointed a university-wide Steering Committee on Human Remains in University Museum Collections, resulting in a 2022 report with recommendations. These recommendations prompted the formation of the Human Remains in the Harvard Museum Collections Return Committee, which reviews requests for stewardship considerations or the return of ancestral remains from across all Harvard entities. Requests regarding ancestors stewarded by the Peabody are coordinated through the museum and reviewed by this committee.
While requests for the return of cultural items and ancestral remains are reviewed by different committees, the process for submitting a request to the Peabody is the same. For the sake of all possible claimants, the review process is necessarily one of careful assessment, due diligence in provenance research, and thoughtful deliberation that can be time consuming and complex.
Process
The museum welcomes requests from origin communities, descendant communities, Indigenous nations, and national governments. We encourage groups embarking on a request for the return of cultural items and/or ancestral remains to begin by consulting the Peabody's Collections Online for remote access to collections information. After reviewing the collections online, we suggest reaching out to us with an initial informal inquiry.
Often, the next step in the consultation process includes an in-person visit to view collections, which should be scheduled in advance so that we can be fully prepared to host your group. Please note that in some cases, catalog records and/or images may not be publicly accessible due to cultural sensitivity considerations. Additionally, consultations create opportunities to discuss digital and archival resources, support ongoing research, and collaborate on the stewardship of ancestors and sensitive cultural items while they are in our care.
Before drafting a claim, please contact us at pmreturns@fas.harvard.edu for more information on the returns process. This inbox is continually monitored by staff, and we will reach out to provide additional guidance and information about the required elements for submitting a request, to help with access to collections and related documentation, and to answer any questions you may have.
Frequently Asked Questions
Peabody Museum staff have compiled a list of frequently asked questions regarding this returns policy. If you do not see your question answered, please contact us at pmreturns@fas.harvard.edu.
Looking for Specific Collections?
Search the online database to find a specific collection item and learn more about where it came from and when and other details.
Contacts
Kara Schneiderman, Director of Collections
Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology
Harvard University
11 Divinity Ave.
Cambridge, Mass. 02138
pmreturns@fas.harvard.edu
Please submit requests for more information to pmreturns@fas.harvard.edu and provide at least a month’s notice prior to your requested visit date.