In a move to comply with updated federal regulations, the American Museum of Natural History in New York City is closing certain halls that display Native American artifacts. The closures, which include the Eastern Woodlands and Great Plains halls, will take effect from Saturday. Additionally, seven cases displaying Indigenous artifacts in other areas of the museum will be covered.

President of the museum, Sean M. Decatur, announced the closures in a letter to staff, stating that the actions reflect a growing urgency among museums to change their relationships with and representation of Indigenous cultures. The closure of these halls is seen as a step towards respecting the values, perspectives, and humanity of Indigenous peoples.

The changes come in response to an executive order signed by President Joe Biden last month, which supports tribal self-determination. The order calls for revisions to the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, requiring museums and federal agencies to obtain consent from tribes before displaying human remains and cultural artifacts.

While tribal leaders have advocated for the respectful and quick repatriation of artifacts and remains, concerns have been raised regarding the identification process, as it could potentially place a burden on tribes. Institutions, including the American Museum of Natural History, have also faced challenges in identifying the origins of items that may have been obtained through problematic practices.

Prior to this announcement, Decatur had already initiated efforts to remove most human remains from display in the museum. It was revealed that approximately 26% of the 12,000 individual human remains held by the museum are of Native Americans.

One significant impact of the closures will be on school field trips, with the Eastern Woodlands hall being a popular stop for over 500,000 children who visit the museum each year as part of school or camp groups.

The American Museum of Natural History is not the only institution taking action to comply with the new regulations. The Field Museum in Chicago has already covered some Native American object cases, pending consultation with tribes. Similarly, the Cleveland Museum of Art has covered its display cases to adhere to the rule changes.

Decatur emphasized that museums are at their best when they reflect changing ideas, and the adjustments made by these institutions demonstrate their commitment to creating more inclusive and respectful representations of Indigenous cultures.

The closures of the halls displaying Native American artifacts highlight the pressing need for museums to reconsider their relationships with Indigenous communities and address historical practices that may not align with modern values.