The Fernbank Museum of Natural History has announced plans to repatriate 68,682 cultural items in accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, as detailed in a notice published by the National Park Service. These items, which include various artifacts such as ceramic pieces, metal objects, and beads, were recovered from Mission Santa Catalina de Guale in Georgia, and are linked to Native American burial practices. The museum has identified a connection between the items and the Seminole Tribe of Florida and The Muscogee (Creek) Nation. Repatriation is scheduled to begin on or after May 30, 2025, and involves returning the items to lineal descendants or culturally affiliated tribes as determined by historical and geographical evidence.
Simple Explanation
In April 2025, a museum in Atlanta plans to give back lots of Native American artifacts, like old pots and beads, to two Native tribes because they belong to them. This decision can be a bit tricky because there are lots of items and details to sort out!