Notice of Intended Repatriation Published in the Federal Register

A Notice of Intended Repatriation of Cultural Items has been published in the Federal Register.  

To request repatriation on the above notice, we have provided template request for repatriation/claim letters below for your convenience. Please contact the Megon Noble, Repatriation Coodinator ([email protected]) if you have any questions.

Template Repatriation/Claim Letter

The Notice includes the following:

A total of six cultural items have been requested for repatriation. The sacred objects are six baskets. The University is unaware of any specific treatment of the individual sacred objects with pesticides, preservatives, or other substances that represent a potential hazard to the objects or to persons handling the objects. However, records located in the Anthropology Museum indicate that approximately 1/3 of the Merriam collection had been treated with Berlou, a dry mothproofing substance used as an insecticide, in 1964. It is unknown which baskets were treated.

One of the sacred objects originates from Humboldt County—CHM-46 was purchased by Frank J. Hittell near Dyerville in August 1903 and is assumed to have been later gifted to or purchased by C. Hart Merriam. Two of the sacred objects originate from Mendocino County—CHM-97 and CHM-98 were purchased by C. Hart Merriam from Sally Bell at her home near Needle Rock Crossroads in August 1923. Three sacred objects originate from Trinity County—CHM-47, CHM-48, and CHM-49 were purchased by C. Hart Merriam from “an old Indian Woman,” possibly Mrs. Lucy Young near Hettenshaw Valley in June 1922.