Yosemite National Park to Repatriate Human Remains to Native American Tribes
Published Date: 12/19/2025
Notice
Summary
Yosemite National Park plans to return human remains found in the park to Native American tribes or descendants starting January 20, 2026. If no one claims them by December 21, 2026, the remains will be considered unclaimed. This affects tribes connected to the park and involves respectful handling of these important cultural items.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Yosemite will repatriate remains
Yosemite National Park plans to return human remains and associated funerary objects to lineal descendants, Indian Tribes, or Native Hawaiian organizations beginning January 20, 2026. The notice identifies 48 Native American individuals and 249 associated funerary objects that are subject to disposition.
Named tribes have priority
The Bishop Paiute Tribe; Bridgeport Indian Colony; Northfork Rancheria of Mono Indians of California; Picayune Rancheria of Chukchansi Indians of California; and the Tuolumne Band of Me-Wuk Indians of the Tuolumne Rancheria of California are identified as having priority for disposition of the remains and objects. These tribes are the first parties the Park will consider when making repatriation decisions.
Claims deadline and outcomes
If no written claim for disposition is received by December 21, 2026, the human remains and associated funerary objects will become 'unclaimed' under the notice. Written claims must be sent to the Yosemite Superintendent (address and email provided) and disposition may occur on or after January 20, 2026.
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