In compliance with newly updated federal regulations under the Biden administration, the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) in New York City has announced the closure of two halls that display Native American artifacts. The recent revisions to the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (Nagpra) now mandate that museums obtain permission from tribes to exhibit their objects, including human remains and cultural items.

The AMNH's president, Sean Decatur, informed museum staff that the Eastern Woodlands and Great Plains halls will be closed starting this Saturday. These halls showcase cultural exhibits from various tribes, such as the Iroquois, Mohegan, Ojibwa, Cree, Hidatsa, Dakota (Sioux), Cheyenne, Arapaho, Crow, and others. The closure decision was made because the exhibits not only require consent under the new Nagpra regulations but are also considered outdated.

Furthermore, the museum will be covering specific cases in other halls, including the Mead hall of Pacific peoples and the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial hall. These actions are part of the AMNH's effort to acknowledge past failures and respect the values and perspectives of Indigenous communities.

The significance of the museum's decision has been praised by experts in the field. Sven Haakanson, chair of the University of Washington's anthropology department, emphasized the importance of museums reflecting the voices and experiences of the communities they exhibit. Similarly, James Owen, assistant director of the University of Georgia's Institute of Native American Studies, highlighted the long history of collecting artifacts without proper consultation or regard for the rights and perspectives of Native Americans. He expressed the belief that the updated Nagpra regulations empower Native Americans to determine how their past is presented.

The closure of these halls and the covering of display cases will leave approximately 10,000 square feet of exhibition space inaccessible to visitors, according to the New York Times. However, this symbolic action is perceived as a small gesture compared to the historical injustices suffered by Indigenous communities, including the collection of human remains, funerary objects, and the desecration of sacred sites.

The revised Nagpra regulations aim to promote increased tribal inclusion in repatriation processes, highlighting the need for collaboration between tribes and institutions. Shannon O'Loughlin, chief executive of the Association on American Indian Affairs, pointed out that institutions often overlook what they have in their collections and that consultation with Native nations is necessary for a comprehensive understanding of these items.

The AMNH's closure follows similar actions by other museums across the country. The Field Museum in Chicago has covered its display cases featuring Native American cultural items in response to Nagpra's newest regulations, pending consultation with the represented communities. The Cleveland Museum of Art has taken a similar approach, covering its displays until appropriate determinations can be made and, if necessary, consents obtained.

However, there are concerns about the five-year deadline imposed by Nagpra for institutions to prepare all human remains and cultural objects for repatriation. Candace Sall, director of the University of Missouri's museum of anthropology and American archaeology division, stressed the importance of consultation to ensure a smooth process and expressed worries about burdening tribes with multiple requests within the given timeframe.

While the new Nagpra regulations have been hailed as significant progress, O'Loughlin noted that they still do not address the issue of private collectors and auction houses selling items protected under the act. Efforts to expand the scope of Nagpra to combat the illicit market in Native American religious items, burial objects, and cultural patrimony are ongoing.

The AMNH's decision to close the halls featuring Native American artifacts reflects a broader movement toward acknowledging and rectifying the historical mistreatment of Indigenous communities in museums. It highlights the importance of giving tribes a central role in decision-making processes and presenting their heritage in a respectful and collaborative manner.