With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today .
LA's Fowler Museum returns items to Aboriginal group
The Fowler Museum at UCLA will return several artifacts to an Australian Aboriginal group.
(
Courtesy David Esquivel
/
Fowler Museum
)
Topline:
The Fowler Museum at UCLA has returned cultural artifacts to Warumungu elders from Australia.
The background: The Fowler Museum began negotiating with the Aboriginal group for the return of 20 items. The museum director says Fowler has returned items to Indigenous groups over the past two decades.
Why now: There's a growing call by advocates to return cultural artifacts, especially those that are known to be looted. According to Fowler director Silvia Forni, the museum holds 130,000 objects, of which 27 have been returned. Many of those don't fall under the categories of "loot, stolen objects, or objects or particular cultural significance," that tribes most often want back.
Support for LAist comes from
Why it matters: The return signals the changing role of museums as custodians with ethical responsibilities toward the items in their collections and the original owners. The move also reflects the demand that California's public universities repatriate Indigenous artifacts.
Listen: We interviewed Fowler director Silvia Forni about the returns.
Listen
• 5:59
LA's Fowler Museum returns items to Aboriginal group
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The historic properties have been sitting vacant for decades and were put on the market as-is, with prices ranging from $750,000 to $1.75 million. -
Users of the century old Long Beach wooden boardwalk give these suggestions to safely enjoy it. -
The Newport Beach City Council approved a new artificial surf park that will replace part of an aging golf course. -
The utility, whose equipment is believed to have sparked the Eaton Fire, says payouts could come as quickly as four months after people submit a claim. But accepting the money means you'll have to forego any lawsuits. -
The City Council will vote Tuesday on a proposal to study raising the pay for construction workers on apartments with at least 10 units and up to 85 feet high. -
The study found recipients spent nearly all the money on basic needs like food and transportation, not drugs or alcohol.
Best of LAist