Chicago Museum Prepares to Repatriate Ancient Native Remains to Tribes
Published Date: 11/18/2025
Notice
Summary
The Field Museum in Chicago has finished checking its collection and found Native American human remains linked to several tribes. Starting December 18, 2025, these remains can be returned to the Ho-Chunk Nation, Peoria Tribe, Potawatomi groups, and Osage Nation. If you want to request the return, you need to contact the museum soon—no money changes hands, just respect and care for history.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Named Tribes Eligible for Repatriation
If you are a member of the Ho-Chunk Nation, Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma, Pokagon Band of Potawatomi (Michigan and Indiana), Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, or The Osage Nation, the Field Museum has determined human remains affiliated with your group and those remains may be returned starting December 18, 2025. The remains were taken from Polecat Creek Gravel Pits, Coles County, Illinois, and represent at least one Native American individual.
Who Can Request and How To Request
You can request repatriation by sending a written request to June Carpenter, NAGPRA Director at the Field Museum (1400 S Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60605) or by email to the address listed in the notice. Requests may be submitted by any of the named tribes, any lineal descendant, or any other tribe or organization that shows by a preponderance of the evidence it has cultural affiliation; competing requests will be resolved by the Field Museum and joint requests count as a single request.
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