Helen Robbins

Provenance Research Director

Repatriation
Science Focus
Topic(S)
Administrative Area(s)

Dr. Robbins is the Repatriation Director at the Field Museum where she coordinates domestic and international repatriation activities. As part of her work, she evaluates and conducts empirical research on repatriation claims and is actively involved in consultation with, and outreach to, Native American groups. She collaborates on exhibitions and manages an internship program. She is working to establish consistent standards of research and review and is actively involved in the ongoing development of Museum policy and procedures regarding international repatriation, collaborative curation initiatives and other matters. Dr. Robbins received an M.A. and Ph.D. in anthropology from the University of Arizona.

Education and Work

Ph.D. University of Arizona 2001

Accomplishments

Online articles:

  • http://www.cbc.ca/player/play/1051191875723
  • http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/field-museum-cultural-repatriation-award-inuit-remains-1.4299935
  • A Trip to Zoar (CBC. June 27, 2011)
  • Repatriation of the Labrador Inuit Remains from Chicago(Government of Canada)
  • The delicate Art of Returning the Dead (Colombus Dispatch)
  • Totem Pole returned, now the Field has its own (April 03, 2007)
  • Field Museum to Return Human Remains to Native American Tribe (October 17, 2003)
  • Haida Travel to Museums to Collect Remains(Associated Press. October 10, 2003)
  • After 100 years, a Tribe's Ancestors head home. (New York Times)2017 - National Park Service, NAGPRA Grant, Principal Investigator. 2016 - IMLS National Leadership Grant, Principal Investigator. 2016 - National Park Service, NAGPRA Grant, Principal Investigator. 2016 - National Park Service, NAGPRA Grant, Principal Investigator. 2016 - National Park Service, NAGPRA Grant, Principal Investigator. 2014 - National Park Service, NAGPRA Grant, Principal Investigator. 2014 - National Park Service, NAGPRA Grant, Principal Investigator. 2013 - National Park Service, NAGPRA Grant, Principal Investigator. 2011 - Elizabeth Morse Charitable Trust, Principal Investigator. 2010 - National Park Service, NAGPRA Grant, Principal Investigator. 2010 - National Park Service, NAGPRA Grant, Principal Investigator. 2009 - Grainger Award, Co-Principal Investigator. 2008 - National Park Service, NAGPRA Grant, Principal Investigator. 2008 - National Park Service, NAGPRA Grant, Principal Investigator. 2007 - National Park Service, NAGPRA Grant, Principal Investigator. 2007 - National Park Service, NAGPRA Grant, Co-Principal Investigator. 2006 - National Park Service, NAGPRA Grant, Principal Investigator. 2005 - Elizabeth F. Cheney Foundation Award, Co-principal Investigator. 2004 - National Park Service, NAGPRA Grant, Co-Principal Investigator. 2003 -National Park Service, NAGPRA Grant. Principal Investigator.American Alliance of Museums

American Anthropological Association

Society for American Archaeology

Research Sketch

Repatriation