Princeton Preps to Return Native Treasures to Tribes
Published Date: 12/16/2025
Notice
Summary
Princeton University has finished checking its collection and found human remains linked to Native American tribes. Starting January 15, 2026, these remains can be returned to the right communities. This is a respectful step to honor Native heritage, with no costs or risks involved for anyone.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Repatriation Allowed Starting January 15, 2026
Princeton University says the human remains it inventoried can be returned to affiliated communities on or after January 15, 2026. The notice covers human remains representing at least two Native American individuals, including one from Marion County, Indiana.
Which Tribes and Descendants Can Request Repatriation
The notice lists specific Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations that Princeton identified as culturally affiliated and may request repatriation. The listed groups include the Absentee-Shawnee Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma; Bay Mills Indian Community, Michigan; Cayuga Nation; Delaware Nation, Oklahoma; Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma; Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, Michigan; Hannahville Indian Community, Michigan; Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, Michigan; Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas; Kickapoo Tribe of Indians of the Kickapoo Reservation in Kansas; Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma; Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians of Michigan; Little River Band of Ottawa Indians, Michigan; Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, Michigan; Match-e-be-nash-she-wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians of Michigan; Miami Tribe of Oklahoma; Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi, Michigan; Oneida Indian Nation; Oneida Nation; Onondaga Nation; Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma; Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians, Michigan and Indiana; Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan; Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe; Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, Michigan; Seneca Nation of Indians; Seneca-Cayuga Nation; Shawnee Tribe; and the Tonawanda Band of Seneca. Requests may also be submitted by a lineal descendant or by an Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization not listed that shows cultural affiliation by a preponderance of the evidence.
How Competing or Joint Repatriation Requests Are Handled
If more than one party asks for repatriation, Princeton University must decide which requestor is most appropriate before returning the remains. Joint repatriation requests are treated as a single request and are not considered competing.
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