Culturally Identifiable Refers to Native American cultural items whose cultural affiliation with Federally-recognized tribes can be demonstrated. Culturally Unidentifiable Refers to Native American cultural items whose cultural affiliation cannot be demonstrated, or which share cultural affiliation with an Indian group which is not Federally-recognized. A legal concept which refers to the legitimacy of ownership. By definition, museums can never have right of possession for objects of cultural patrimony, human remains, or associated funerary objects. Having physical custody of cultural items.
Museums possess items which are in their collection.
Control Having legal interest in cultural items regardless of whose possession they are in. Federal agencies may control certain cultural items which are in the possession of a museum.