Returned Grinding Stones in Earth from Returned Land

More than 100 Indigenous cultural items were voluntarily returned to Indigenous people during a “participatory rematriation” the weekend before Thanksgiving.

Precolumbian pottery, Native American grinding stones taken during construction decades ago, burden baskets found in an attic, ancient arrowheads, and endangered abalone shells are among the items returned to the care of the intertribal Indigenous women led Sogorea Te’ Land Trust.

The invitation to return found, stolen, and misappropriate cultural items was shared on social media as part of an effort to encourage non-Indigenous people to “go beyond just giving thanks and give things taken back” this holiday season.

The exhibition of returned itemes was curated by Inés Ixierda with the Sogorea Te Land Trust Creative team.

All returned items originating from within the territory will be returned to the Confederated Villages of Lisjan Nation and all other items will be rematriated to Indigenous people of the lineage of their creation.

To learn more about Sogorea Te Land Trust here.