Harvard University museum agrees to return Standing Bear's tomahawk
Source: Omaha World Herald
By Ryan Hoffman
A Harvard University museum has agreed to return to the Ponca people a ceremonial tomahawk that once belonged to Standing Bear.
Once finalized, the move, which was requested by descendants of the legendary Ponca chief, as well as tribal leadership and the Nebraska Legislature, will mark the homecoming of an important part of Ponca history. The saga also could serve as an example of a nonconfrontational process for returning native belongings, according to members of the Ponca tribe.
I think this could be an example for sure, said Larry Wright Jr., chairman of the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska and a participant in the repatriation discussions. The Ponca Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma also are involved in the repatriation talks.
Calls to return the tomahawk emerged earlier this year when Brett Chapman, a lawyer in Tulsa, Oklahoma, brought awareness to the fact that the tomahawk was at the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology at Harvard in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
A bronze statue of Ponca Chief Standing Bear at the U.S. Capitol. The statue, which was installed in 2019, features the chief holding a tomahawk.
JOSEPH MORTON, THE WORLD-HERALD
Read more: https://omaha.com/news/state-and-regional/harvard-university-museum-agrees-to-return-standing-bears-tomahawk/article_6111f3d8-db66-11eb-843f-77f46c922e2f.html#tracking-source=home-the-latest
The Nebraska Legislature is considering a bill that would replace Columbus Day with Chief Standing Bear Day.
luckone
(21,646 posts)marble falls
(57,204 posts)... when I'm done with it, they may have mine.
lonely bird
(1,688 posts)Wtf? They have to negotiate this? Just arrange for the transportation of tribal leaders to and from Harvard and give them the tomahawk.