The American Museum of Natural History announced plans to repatriate over 2,700 hair samples collected from Native Americans, including those from Amy and Rose Cordier, on July 8, 2026. This decision follows a federal law enacted in 1990 requiring the return of Native American remains, which now explicitly includes hair.
Background on Hair Sample Collection
In the late 19th century, anthropologists collected hair samples from Indigenous children, including the Cordier sisters, during a period of cultural erasure at boarding schools. These samples were stored in the museum, largely forgotten, until a researcher discovered them in the 1990s.
Despite a federal law mandating the return of Native American remains, some institutions, including museums, interpreted the law as excluding hair samples. This changed in 2024 when the federal government updated regulations to clarify that hair is included as human remains.
Efforts Toward Repatriation
The museum's president, Sean M. Decatur, emphasized that the museum is committed to transparency and compliance with repatriation laws. He stated, “In my time here, I have not had any debate or question over whether these materials should be part of our larger effort for consultation and repatriation.”
The museum has already begun contacting nearly 150 tribes affected by this decision, including the Choctaw, Sioux, and Chippewa. The repatriation process aims to restore trust and rectify historical wrongs.
Challenges Ahead
While the museum has made strides in improving its compliance with repatriation laws, the revelation of these hair samples presents new challenges. Shannon O’Loughlin, chief executive of the Association on American Indian Affairs, expressed concern about the museum's lack of transparency, stating, “The fact that there has been no transparency, even after 30 years of knowing the hair samples were part of the collection, is going to raise trust issues.”
The museum's collection, which previously included remains of approximately 12,000 individuals, will nearly double its number of Native American remains due to the inclusion of these hair clippings. The museum has also been advocating for increased funding for programs under the Native American Graves Repatriation Act (NAGPRA).
- Over 2,700 hair samples to be repatriated
- Includes samples from Amy and Rose Cordier
- Part of a broader effort to comply with NAGPRA
- Contacting nearly 150 tribes for consultation
🤖 This article was rewritten by Feed and Figures' editorial AI from a report originally published by NYT Arts. Facts and quotes are preserved from the original; the rewrite focuses on clarity and structure. For the unedited original, see the source link below.
