Museum Returns Ancient Bones to Illinois Tribes Quietly
Published Date: 3/2/2026
Notice
Summary
The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History has finished checking some old human bones sent to them and found they belong to Native American tribes linked to southern Illinois. Starting April 1, 2026, these remains can be returned to the right tribes to honor their heritage. This process helps make sure the bones are treated with respect and follows important laws protecting Native American history.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Repatriation begins April 1, 2026
If you are one of the named Indian Tribes or a lineal descendant, you may request return (repatriation) of the human remains beginning April 1, 2026. The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History says the remains are affiliated with the listed tribes and may be returned on or after that date.
Who can request and how museum decides
Any one or more of the Indian Tribes named in the notice (for example, Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma; Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma; Ho-Chunk Nation of Wisconsin; Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska; Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas; Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi; Miami Tribe of Oklahoma; Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma; Pokagon Band of Potawatomi; Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation; Quapaw Nation; Sac & Fox Nation of Missouri in Kansas and Nebraska; The Osage Nation; Thlopthlocco Tribal Town; Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska) or any lineal descendant or other tribe/organization that shows cultural affiliation by a preponderance of the evidence may send a written repatriation request to Luke Swetland, President and CEO, Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, 2559 Puesta del Sol, Santa Barbara, CA 93105, email [email protected]. If competing requests are received, the museum must determine the most appropriate requestor; joint requests count as a single request.
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