• 130. Bones of Contention: Skeletons in the Museum Closet

  • Oct 15 2024
  • Length: 1 hr and 28 mins
  • Podcast

130. Bones of Contention: Skeletons in the Museum Closet

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  • Summary

  • Happy Indigenous People's Day!

    In this episode, we expose the unsettling truth about stolen Indigenous peoples' remains in some of the world’s most renowned museums, including the Smithsonian, the American Museum of Natural History, and the Illinois State Museum.

    We dive into the ethical and legal battles surrounding the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), a law designed to return these sacred remains to their rightful communities.

    Kiki touches on the erroneous pseudo-science of phrenology and how it led to a glut of both legal and questionably obtained skulls in museums across the country.

    Wrapping up, we touch on the curious case of Stone Man Willie, a case of experimental embalming that led an unfortunate soul to be a funeral home attraction for over 120 years.

    Join us for a sobering discussion on the past’s lingering injustices and the ongoing struggle for Indigenous rights.


    Check a museum or university near you with the ProPublica Repatriation Database!

    --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/missionspooky/support
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In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.