Advocate for repatriation to Sellars Farm Mound
Advocate for repatriation to Sellars Farm Mound
The Issue
The remains of at least 19 ancestors of the southeastern tribes are sitting in storage at Harvard University's Peabody Museum. These ancestors, who once lived and thrived in what is now Lebanon, Tennessee, deserve far more than to be boxed away and forgotten in an institution thousands of miles from their homeland.
Sellars Farm, a significant historical and cultural site, is where these ancestors belong. The mound at Sellars Farm is more than just a physical location; it's a sacred space steeped in the traditions and stories of the people who came before us. It is essential that we honor these ancestors by returning their remains, burial accompaniments, and reinstating cultural land management practices.
Repatriation offers a path for healing and justice for both the ancestors of sovereign nations and their living descendants. The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) was enacted to ensure that remains and cultural artifacts are treated with the respect they deserve. Progress at Harvard has returned the remains of at least 80% of ancestors to Tennessee.
By advocating for returns to Sellars Farm, we take a crucial step in restoring the dignity of those who are no longer with us. This is not merely an act of restitution but a commitment to preserving the integrity and spirit of Native heritage in Tennessee. Restoring these remains to their rightful place would allow the land opportunity to begin healing and to practice time-honored traditions, enabling us and future generations to forge a deeper connection with our history and culture.
Cultural land management practices are also vital. These practices not only honor the traditions, but ensure the ecological sustainability of the land, promoting biodiversity and environmental health, which are integral parts of our cultural heritage.
I urge Harvard University and the relevant authorities to prioritize this repatriation process. It is time to correct this historical injustice. Join us in demanding action – sign this petition to call for the immediate return of our ancestors and their belongings to the Mound at Sellars Farm.
1
The Issue
The remains of at least 19 ancestors of the southeastern tribes are sitting in storage at Harvard University's Peabody Museum. These ancestors, who once lived and thrived in what is now Lebanon, Tennessee, deserve far more than to be boxed away and forgotten in an institution thousands of miles from their homeland.
Sellars Farm, a significant historical and cultural site, is where these ancestors belong. The mound at Sellars Farm is more than just a physical location; it's a sacred space steeped in the traditions and stories of the people who came before us. It is essential that we honor these ancestors by returning their remains, burial accompaniments, and reinstating cultural land management practices.
Repatriation offers a path for healing and justice for both the ancestors of sovereign nations and their living descendants. The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) was enacted to ensure that remains and cultural artifacts are treated with the respect they deserve. Progress at Harvard has returned the remains of at least 80% of ancestors to Tennessee.
By advocating for returns to Sellars Farm, we take a crucial step in restoring the dignity of those who are no longer with us. This is not merely an act of restitution but a commitment to preserving the integrity and spirit of Native heritage in Tennessee. Restoring these remains to their rightful place would allow the land opportunity to begin healing and to practice time-honored traditions, enabling us and future generations to forge a deeper connection with our history and culture.
Cultural land management practices are also vital. These practices not only honor the traditions, but ensure the ecological sustainability of the land, promoting biodiversity and environmental health, which are integral parts of our cultural heritage.
I urge Harvard University and the relevant authorities to prioritize this repatriation process. It is time to correct this historical injustice. Join us in demanding action – sign this petition to call for the immediate return of our ancestors and their belongings to the Mound at Sellars Farm.
1
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Petition created on December 21, 2025