Reorganization of the Phoebe Hearst Museum of Anthropology

In order to enhance collaboration and partnerships with California Indian groups and other Native Americans, the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research at the University of California, Berkeley today (Monday, June 4, 2007) announced the reorganization of the Phoebe Hearst Museum of Anthropology. Now that the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) unit has completed its thorough inventory of its Native America collections -- meeting all federal obligations -- the Hearst Museum is prepared to offer a new level of expanded services to tribes and to provide increased opportunities for feedback about these services.

Based in part upon the recommendations of an expert outside review team, comprised of a former member of the Federal NAGPRA Review Committee and an eminent California archaeologist who is a founding member of the California Repatriation Oversight Committee, the NAGPRA staff will be reintegrated into existing Hearst Museum departments. The new organization fits the standard model for repatriation activities for most museums across the nation, with the goal of integrating Native American perspectives more fully into museum programming and activities. It is designed to engage the entire museum staff in fostering partnerships with tribal groups and governments, depending upon their specific needs and interests in the Hearst Museum 's collections and programs. This reorganization will increase the number of staff dedicated to these activities, as additional funds have been allocated to the Museum in order to enhance its database capability and to add a research archaeologist who will assist with processing repatriation claims.

The staff reorganization adds to, and enhances, Hearst Museum services to Native American tribes. In addition to continued adherence to legal guidelines involving repatriation, some key program enhancements include:

• Creation of opportunities for partnering with tribes, particularly in efforts related to the development of tribal cultural centers and tribal museums

• Creation of tribally-accessible information on Museum collections through enhanced research, improved database, and website design

• Increased consultation with tribes to provide culturally sensitive ways of storing, handling, explaining, and exhibiting Native American cultural items and practices

• Development and promotion of Hearst Museum educational programs for all ages, events, and exhibits with Native American themes

• Identification and pursuit of mutually beneficial funding opportunities through private donations, corporate sponsorships, and scholarship/grant opportunities

• Closer work with tribes in negotiating long term loans of Hearst Museum objects

This reorganization comes at an opportune time in the history of the Hearst Museum . It coincides with the launch of a campus-funded Feasibility Study (which begins July 1, 2007) designed to define current and long-term goals for improved access -- by all of its diverse clients -- to the Museum's collections and services. In particular, the Hearst Museum recognizes that forging stronger collaborative ties with tribal groups will be a critical component in developing plans for the upcoming campus capital campaign to expand Museum exhibition, storage, and teaching space. The Museum's long-term relationships with Native American tribes, in particular, are crucial to the success of these expansion plans.

The University of California , Berkeley has a strong ongoing commitment to State and Federal NAGPRA laws and to preserving our long-term relationships with Native American tribes. It is our expectation that this new effort will enhance our ability to serve these communities more effectively.