Two years ago, Chance Ward embarked on a journey that would transform his understanding of how institutions treat animal remains. As a master’s student in Museum and Field Studies at the University of Colorado Boulder, he began to sift through numerous boxes containing horse remains sent from various institutions across the United States. What greeted him inside these packages was often disheartening. Bones crammed haphazardly into bags and boxes offered a stark contrast to the respect animals deserve, especially from the perspective of someone like Ward, a member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. As he surveyed the unceremonious treatment of these remains, he felt a profound sense of sorrow for the animals whose stories were intertwined with human history yet treated with such neglect.
Ward’s cultural background instilled in him a deep reverence for horses and other animals, viewing them not merely as resources but as relatives, part of an interconnected web of life that extends beyond the human experience. This ethos defines Native American spiritual beliefs, which often regard animals as integral to cultural identity and continuity. In contrast, the sometimes cavalier approaches of museums in handling animal remains reveal a significant disconnect. His poignant reminder of the need for care in handling these remains resonated deeply: “You don’t throw them in plastic bags or boxes.” Such statements underscore a much broader issue—a demand for change that goes beyond mere procedures and points toward a fundamental realignment of how institutions approach their collections.
Now, leading a dedicated team of archaeologists and Indigenous scholars, Ward advocates for a shift within museums across the nation. This initiative emphasizes "cultural humility," a framework grounded in self-reflection and partnership with Native communities. The emphasis is on collaborative stewardship, ensuring that Indigenous voices guide the care, preservation, and display of animal remains held in museum collections. Their recently published paper in Advances in Archaeological Practice outlines a vision that compels institutions to engage meaningfully with the cultures represented in their archives. This paper serves as a clarion call to museums, urging them to rethink methodologies around curation and respect towards animal remains.
William Taylor, associate professor and curator of archaeology at CU Boulder, echoes this sentiment. He points out that the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), established in 1990, provides a legal framework for returning human remains and sacred artifacts to Indigenous groups. However, animal remains often slip through the cracks of this legislation, revealing gaps in ethical and legal frameworks guiding museum practices. Taylor emphasizes the importance of reframing institutions as living stewards of cultural heritage rather than merely vaults for inanimate artifacts. The notion of stewardship demands a proactive approach that prioritizes relationships over passive collection—a perspective that aligns with the values of many Indigenous cultures.
Ward’s journey is also deeply personal; he recalls growing up on the Cheyenne River Reservation, where the bond between humans and horses was pivotal to his upbringing. The connection formed at such a young age set the stage for his advocacy today. His memories of childhood awash with the rhythm of hooves and the spirit of the land serve as reminders that animals are more than biological entities; they are storied beings deserving of dignity and respect. The challenge lies not only in how to care for the remains but also in recognizing the varied relationships that different tribal nations have with various animals, including horses and bison.
Historically, archaeology has often missed the mark in valuing animal remains, relegating them to mere artifacts of tangible prehistory rather than the embodiments of cultural narratives. Many archeological expeditions overlooked the importance of animal bones, discarding them or segregating them from their cultural contexts. This disregard for the past breeds a need for urgent change, and Ward is determined to lead this charge, advocating for an individualized approach to the treatment of animal remains that respects the distinct cultural lenses through which different tribes view these relics.
By thoroughly documenting collections and actively engaging with Indigenous communities, museums can recalibrate their relationship with their holdings. Many institutions still lack awareness of the full breadth of their collections, often unsure of the types of remains housed in their repositories. The systematic means of cataloging and holding accounts of these remains can chart a new course for institutions striving to act ethically and with integrity.
As a co-author of the scholarly paper, Jimmy Arterberry of the Comanche Nation highlights the urgency surrounding the call to action. He acknowledges the fiscal constraints that many museums face, yet insists that a respectful, focused approach does not require vast resources—rather, a commitment to listening and engaging meaningfully with Indigenous populations can instigate immediate change. The question posed is profound: if museums cannot guarantee the proper care and respect these remains deserve, why do they keep them at all?
Collaboration with Native American groups is not merely optional; it’s a necessity entrenched in legal and ethical frameworks guiding modern museum operations. The CU Museum of Natural History exemplifies this commitment by engaging with Indigenous knowledge holders to collaborate on how collections are curated and displayed. Recent initiatives have revisited collections like the thousands of bison bones excavated from archaeological sites, where team members worked alongside Indigenous elders to reimagine how these animals are honored and represented.
In February 2024, a significant event unfolded as Lakota elders visited the CU Boulder campus to confer with researchers about the bison collection. Chief Harold Left Heron’s blessing of the remains highlights the importance of honoring these animals as part of a collective spiritual heritage. The ongoing dialogue initiated by Ward and his team with the Lakota community is a progressive step toward ensuring these remains are viewed not only as archaeological but as culturally significant entities deserving of recognition and respect.
This evolving relationship between museums and Indigenous communities lays the groundwork for a paradigm shift in how institutions regard their collections. Opportunities to incorporate communal perspectives into the care of ancient animal remains can lead to a fuller understanding of our shared history while working toward reconciliation. Ward’s ongoing message is a powerful reminder of the value of integrating personal relationships, respect, and acknowledgment within the narrative of animal remains, which can enrich humanity’s intrinsic connection with the living world.
In conclusion, the movement toward ethically and culturally informed care of animal remains stands as a revolutionary chapter in the intersection of archaeology and Indigenous rights. It emphasizes that the task ahead is not only to care for what remains of these animals but also to recognize and honor the cultural narratives intricately woven into their histories. By fostering relationships between museums and Indigenous communities, we move from a past of neglect toward a future marked with respect, understanding, and shared stewardship of our collective heritage.
Subject of Research: Cultural Approaches to the Care of Animal Remains in Museums
Article Title: Toward Legal, Ethical, and Culturally Informed Care of Animal Remains in American Museum Collections
News Publication Date: 6-Mar-2025
Web References: Advances in Archaeological Practice DOI
References:
Image Credits: Casey Cass/CU Boulder
Keywords: Animal Remains, Indigenous Knowledge, Museum Ethics, Cultural Humility, Archaeology, Native American Rights, Conservation, Stewardship, Bison Bones, Cultural Heritage, Museum Practices, Collaborative Research.
