Tennessee Returns Sacred Native Artifacts to Tribal Owners After Decades
Published Date: 12/19/2025
Notice
Summary
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation plans to return some special cultural items from Hamilton County to Native American tribes starting January 20, 2026. These items include ancient artifacts and remains connected to Native heritage. This respectful move helps honor Native communities and follows important laws protecting their history.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Planned return of three funerary items
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation intends to return three unassociated funerary objects from Hamilton County, Tennessee (a lot of faunal remains; a lot including ochre and lithics; and a ceramic vessel) to the listed Indian Tribes. The notice names the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas; Cherokee Nation; Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians; Poarch Band of Creek Indians; The Muscogee (Creek) Nation; Thlopthlocco Tribal Town; and the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma, and repatriation may occur on or after January 20, 2026.
Right to request repatriation by others
Any lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization not listed may submit a written request to TDEC-DOA for repatriation if they show by a preponderance of the evidence that they are a lineal descendant or culturally affiliated. Requests for repatriation must be sent to the TDEC-DOA representative named in the notice, and repatriation may occur on or after January 20, 2026.
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