Current through Register Vol. 35, No. 11, June 11, 2024
Section 4.51.11.7 - DEFINITIONSA. "Culturally sensitive materials" are objects or materials whose treatment or use is a matter of profound concern to living peoples; they may include, but are not limited to: (1) "human remains and their associated funerary objects" shall mean objects that, as a part of the death rite or ceremony of a culture, are reasonably believed to have been placed with individual human remains either at the time of death or later;(2) "sacred objects" shall mean specific items which are needed by traditional religious leaders for the practice of an ongoing religion by present-day adherents;(3) photographs, art works, and other depictions of human remains or religious objects, and sacred or religious events; and(4) museum records, including notes, books, drawings, and photographic and other images relating to such culturally sensitive materials, objects, and remains.B. "Concerned party" is a museum-recognized representative of a tribe, community, or an organization linked to culturally sensitive materials by ties of culture, descent, and/or geography. In the case of a federally recognized Indian tribe, the representative shall be tribally-authorized.C. "Repatriation" is the return of culturally sensitive materials to concerned parties. Repatriation is a collaborative process that empowers people and removes the stigma of cultural paternalism which hinders museums in their attempts to interpret people and cultures with respect, dignity, and accuracy. Repatriation is a partnership created through dialogue based upon cooperation and mutual trust between the museum and the concerned party.D. The museum of New Mexico's committee on sensitive materials is the committee, appointed by the director of the museum of New Mexico, that shall serve as the museum of New Mexico's advisory body on issues relating to the care and treatment of sensitive materials.