In Alaska, as all across the nation, many artifacts have had to be returned to their original owners, usually tribal entities. Masks, ceremonial shakers, carvings and much more had been acquired by various means such as expropriation, raids, thefts and purchase. In many cases, the courts ruled that the person surrendering it had no right to do so.

It's a fine line- for instance, some people, mostly white, have rescued totem poles and re-erected them elsewhere. Those poles still stand today, repaired and restored as needed.

However, the tribal culture that created them meant for them to be returned to the earth in due course through the medium of decay.