The museum's move complies with the NAGPRA Act with plans to return them to their original tribes.
The American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) closed all of its Native American-related exhibits on Friday, causing disappointment among history lovers.
The evacuation began shortly after museum director Sean Decatur announced the changes in a letter to staff. The New York Post reported.
“The rooms we are closing are artifacts of an era when museums like ours did not respect the values, perspectives, and indeed the shared humanity of indigenous peoples,” Decatur wrote in the letter.
“Actions that may seem sudden to some may seem like a long time ago to others,” he continued.
The museum's move complies with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), with plans to return them to their original tribes.
Many of the remains and objects in question were confiscated from Native peoples without their consent or were excavated and taken by non-Native anthropologists and collectors without regard to tribal traditions, the policy notes.
Dan Shoop, 60, rushed to the museum after hearing the news to see the exhibits one last time.
Shoop said: “People come here to learn and see the exhibits. If they are not on public display, they rob people of the opportunity to learn about a culture of great historical importance to this country.”
And he added: “I think it's a shame because a lot of history is being hidden.”
One museum member said they were opposed to the way the AHNM carried out the closures and wished there had been earlier warning before the cabinets were removed.
“I think New Yorkers should have had a chance to say goodbye,” said the person, who asked to remain anonymous. “It would have been much better if they had said it would close in two weeks.
“A lot of people in this room said they wanted their children to have the opportunity to see it.”
According to the AMNH, exhibits will reopen, although it could not provide a timeline.
“Some objects may never be displayed again as a result of the consultation process. But we are looking to create smaller-scale programs throughout the museum that can explain what kind of process is underway,” Decatur told the Times.
Indian Affairs Undersecretary Bryan Newland said the changes to the Department's NAGPRA regulations were “long overdue and will strengthen law enforcement.”
He added that this measure would also “help tribes recover their ancestors and sacred cultural objects.”
