I first found out the museum cared for remains when I was checking the locations of collections. I opened one of the cabinets under the collections room table (my very long desk). I got on my knees, opened a drawer, and right in front of my face was a skull (with it's mouth open, like a scream). The mandible was simply separated, but that was that initial impression. Someone had obviously made a mistake in recording locations, and I simply just hadn't gotten far enough in my exploration of collection records to know about that particular cabinet. It's one of those memories that kinds of sticks with you.
I know what you may be thinking, but the museum is not hording bones. Rather, many of these remains were picked up along eroding beaches by visitors to the island (fisherman, etc.), saved from otters using them in their nest, and carefully excavated after communication with tribes. The museum has offered them a temporary home, dedicating a quite space for these people until they are hopefully all reburied. Since I have been there, the Deputy Director and I worked on publishing NAGPRA notices of inventory completion, a process that takes over a year. The museum was awarded a grant from the National Park Service to bring ANSCA corporation and tribal representatives together for NAGPRA training, raising awareness about Alutiiq remains not only in the Alutiiq Museum, but those around the U.S.
Earlier this month remains of five individuals were reburied, and there is one more repatriation request pending, which I hope can be taken care of this weekend. That's what I worked on for a brief, yet agonizing time today. Matter of fact, it is necessary to place the remains in a box. It is not a responsibility I take lightly. Unfortunately, I think it is taking a toll. Today, when I went to place the remains in a box, I noticed that the cranium had something like toilet paper in it so it would keep it's shape. It had to go. I will say no more!
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