Notice of Intended Repatriation: Mount Holyoke College Art Museum
In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the Mount Holyoke College Art Museum intends to repatriate certain cultural items that meet the definition of sacred objects and that have a cultural affiliation with the Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations in this notice. Repatriation of the cultural items in this notice may occur on or after March 13, 2026. A total of 14 cultural items have been requested for repatriation: one pohaku kuʻi ʻai, one lei niho palaoa, one lot of three pieces of kapa, eight kapa, one hoe, one lot of makaloa, and one kapa book. The museum has determined that there is a connection between the cultural items described in this notice and Hui Iwi Kuamoʻo. Additional requests for repatriation of the cultural items in this notice must be sent in writing. Requests for repatriation may be submitted by any lineal descendant or Native Hawaiian organization not identified in this notice. Repatriation of the cultural items in this notice to a requestor may occur on or after March 13. If competing requests for repatriation are received, the museum must determine the most appropriate requestor prior to repatriation. Requests for joint repatriation of the cultural items are considered a single request and not competing requests. Send additional, written requests for repatriation of the cultural items in this notice to Abigail Hoover, associate director of Registration and Collections, Mount Holyoke College Art Museum, Lower Lake Road, South Hadley, MA 01075, email ahoover@mtholyoke.edu.
