On March 22, the Museum of Us will open its doors for a meaningful and historic moment—one that reflects years of collaboration, reflection, and commitment to justice. As part of The Homeward Project, the museum will host a gathering in Balboa Park to honor the repatriation of 186 Chamoru cultural belongings to the Guam Museum.

This effort represents more than the return of objects. It is part of a broader initiative to acknowledge the histories of Indigenous communities whose ancestral belongings were taken, often under the guise of scientific study, and held for decades without consent. The Homeward Project, a three-year initiative led by the Museum of Us, seeks to accelerate repatriation efforts and repair relationships with Indigenous communities through transparency, accountability, and partnership.

Central to this work is collaboration. The Museum of Us has worked closely with Dr. Michael Lujan Bevacqua and Nicole Dueñas of the Guam Museum, along with Leonard Leon of the Northern Mariana Islands Museum of History and Culture. Together, they have helped shape a framework for international repatriation—particularly within Oceania—grounded in respect, cultural knowledge, and community leadership.

Visitors attending the March 22 event at the Gill Auditorium will have the opportunity to spend time with the Chamoru belongings before they are returned home after more than a century in museum collections. Throughout the afternoon, community members and partners will be present to share insights and answer questions about the repatriation process, with formal discussions scheduled at 1:00 PM and 2:30 PM.

This gathering is not only about looking back—it is about moving forward. It is an invitation to witness a step toward healing, to recognize the importance of cultural sovereignty, and to support the ongoing work of returning heritage to its rightful communities.

The Museum of Us welcomes all who wish to be part of this important moment, as we collectively reflect on the past and participate in shaping a more just and respectful future.