Wounded Knee Artifacts Returned to Lakota Sioux Tribes
Repatriation Ceremony Marks Culmination of Decades-Long Process
On Saturday, the Founders Museum in Barre, Massachusetts, returned approximately 150 Native American artifacts to the Lakota Sioux peoples. The sacred items, some of which are connected to the infamous Wounded Knee Massacre of 1890, had been in the museum’s collection for over a century.
The repatriation ceremony marked the official conclusion of a long and complex process. Members of the Cheyenne River Sioux and Oglala Sioux Tribes traveled to Barre to attend the ceremony, while the formal handoff of the artifacts will take place privately at a later date.
Historical Context and Significance
The Wounded Knee Massacre was a tragic event in which United States Army troops slaughtered an estimated 300 Native American men, women, and children at Wounded Knee Creek in South Dakota. The massacre has left a lasting legacy of trauma and pain for the Lakota Sioux people.
In 1990, Congress formally apologized for the massacre, and the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) was passed. NAGPRA imposes repatriation regulations on institutions that receive federal funding, requiring them to return certain cultural artifacts to Native American tribes.
The Founders Museum’s Role
The Founders Museum, a private institution that does not receive federal funding, is not covered by NAGPRA. However, the museum has voluntarily taken steps to return cultural artifacts to their rightful owners.
The museum acquired the Wounded Knee artifacts from a 19th-century traveling showman. The collection includes moccasins, necklaces, clothing, ceremonial pipes, tools, and other objects.
Challenges and Considerations
Repatriation processes can be complex and time-consuming. In this case, the museum faced challenges in determining which objects truly came from Wounded Knee. Each item also needed to be identified, photographed, and cataloged before its return.
Despite the challenges, the museum remained committed to the repatriation process. “It was always important to me to give them back,” said Ann Meilus, president of the Barre Museum Association. “I think the museum will be remembered for being on the right side of history for returning these items.”
Emotional Impact on the Lakota Sioux
The return of the Wounded Knee artifacts has profound emotional significance for the Lakota Sioux people. “Ever since that Wounded Knee massacre happened, genocides have been instilled in our blood,” said Surrounded Bear, a member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe who attended the ceremony. “And for us to bring back these artifacts, that’s a step towards healing. That’s a step in the right direction.”
Leola One Feather, another member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, expressed similar sentiments. “It may be sad for them to lose these items, but it’s even sadder for us because we’ve been looking for them for so long.”
Ongoing Reconciliation and Healing
The repatriation of cultural artifacts is an important step in the ongoing process of reconciliation and healing for Native American communities. By returning these sacred items, museums can contribute to the preservation of Native American history and culture, while also fostering greater understanding and respect between different communities.
