In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the Louisiana State University, Museum of Natural Science (LSUMNS) has completed an inventory of a funerary object, a small pottery figurine, that has a cultural connection to the Chitimacha Tribe of Louisiana. Starting January 17, 2025, this object may be returned to the tribe or any other Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations that can establish a cultural affiliation or prove lineage. The notice is part of the efforts of the National Park Service to fulfill its responsibilities under NAGPRA, with Dr. Irene Martà Gil as the contact person for repatriation requests. The notice adds to a previous 2022 publication regarding human remains from the same site.
Simple Explanation
The museum at a university in Louisiana found a small pottery figure that belongs to the Chitimacha Tribe and wants to give it back to them. Starting next year, the object can be returned to this tribe or other related groups, and a special person is there to help with this process.