Repatriation And Restorative Justice: From Native American Remains And Sacred Objects To Nazi Art Theft

Thursday, October 25th, 2018 at 5:00pm

Kupferberg Holocaust Center

Queensborough Community College

222-05 56th Avenue 

Queens, NY 11364

Speakers: Jennifer Kreder, Professor of Law at Solomon P. Chase College of Law, Northern Kentucky University

Jackie Swift (Comanche/Fort Sill Apache), Repatriation Manager, National Museum of the American Indian, Smithsonian Institution

David Martine (Shinnecock/Montauk, Chiricahua Apache), Chairperson, American Indian Artists Inc., (AMERINDA); Historic Preservation Officer, Shinnecock Nation

This panel addresses the process of repatriation at the National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI), repatriation from the tribal perspective and the repatriation of artwork, which was stolen from Jewish families during the Holocaust-era. Jennifer Kreder will discuss how museums have undermined the mission of the WWII Army Monuments Men (and Women), which entailed the recovery and return of art plundered during the Nazi era whenever and wherever it could be found. Jackie Swift will speak about the process of restoring Native American cultural items and human remains including funerary objects, sacred objects, and objects of cultural patrimony from museum collection to lineal descendants and culturally affiliated tribes, clans, villages, and/or organizations. David Martine will present on his work as the former Director/Curator of the Shinnecock Nation Cultural Center and Museum on Shinnecock Reservation in Southampton, NY. Conversation will follow regarding the concept of restorative justice within these two cultural contexts.

This event is FREE, but registration is requested. Click here to register.