2025-23048Notice

Michigan University Ready to Return Lake Champlain Ancestral Remains

Published Date: 12/17/2025

Notice

Summary

The University of Michigan finished checking its collection and found ancestral Native American remains linked to certain tribes. These remains, taken long ago from near Lake Champlain, can be returned to the tribes starting January 16, 2026. This means the university is ready to give back these important ancestors, respecting Native communities and their history.

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Ancestral Remains Ready for Return

The University of Michigan has identified ancestral Native American human remains representing at least two individuals taken from the shore of Lake Champlain west of Orwell Village, Vermont (removed prior to 1951) and determined they are culturally affiliated with the Stockbridge Munsee Community. These remains may be repatriated to affiliated groups on or after January 16, 2026.

Who Can Request Repatriation and How

Repatriation requests may be submitted by the Indian Tribes named in the notice, any lineal descendant, or any Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization that proves cultural affiliation by a preponderance of the evidence. If competing requests are received, the University of Michigan must determine the most appropriate requestor; joint repatriation requests are treated as a single request.

Your PRIA Score

Score Hidden

Personalized for You

How does this regulation affect your finances?

Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this federal register document and every other regulation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to start

Key Dates

Published Date
Effective Date
12/17/2025
1/16/2026

Department and Agencies

Department
Independent Agency
Agency
Interior Department
National Park Service
Source: View HTML
Back to Federal Register

Take It Personal

Get Your Personalized Policy View

Start a Free Government Policy Watch to see how policy affects your household, then upgrade to PRIA Full Coverage for year-round monitoring.

Already have an account? Sign in