By Logan Wells, News Director | Logan@kymnradio.net
The Northfield History Center announced last week that its Board of Directors has approved removing several items from its archival collection. The items are sacred native American items that have significance to local indigenous people. The items were returned to the Prairie Island Indian Community earlier this year.
Northfield History Center Executive Director Sean Allen said, “These items have been in the Northfield History Center collection for many years, but they do not belong to the Northfield community. They belong to the people that lived in this area long before us, and that made and used these items.”
The items in question include two large ceremonial headdresses made up of eagle feathers, hand-made beads and other materials. Also included in the transfer are several items that meet the definition under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act of 1990, a federal law enacted to assist Indian tribes with the return of sensitive cultural materials. Allen said “When we realized that these items were in our collection, we contacted the Prairie Island Indian Community for help in determining the most appropriate way to honor their history. Today we are proud to be able to return these important pieces to their rightful owners and to build a lasting partnership with the Prairie Island Indian Community.”
No financial value was scribed to the transfer, and the Northfield History Center made the transfer without any financial fees.
“The key to any successful return is having cooperating partners such as our friends at the Northfield History Center. I extend a thank you to Executive Director Sean Allen and to the Northfield History Center Board of Directors for your leadership and continued support towards protecting the sacred.” Said Tribal Historic Preservation Officer Noah White.
Allen reminded everyone that the mission of the history center is to connect individuals to the history of the Northfield area by collecting, preserving, and sharing its unique stories.
