Navy Prepares to Repatriate Island Native Remains to Tribes
Published Date: 4/9/2026
Notice
Summary
The Navy has finished checking and listing human remains and special burial items found on San Nicolas Island, California. These remains belong to Native American tribes or Native Hawaiian groups, and they’re ready to be returned starting May 11, 2026. This means important cultural treasures will soon go back to their rightful communities, with no costs or risks involved.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Repatriation Available Starting May 11, 2026
Human remains representing at least five individuals and 363 associated funerary objects removed from San Nicolas Island, California, are available for repatriation. Repatriation may occur on or after May 11, 2026, and written requests must be sent to John O'Connor, Cultural Resources Manager, Naval Base Ventura County, 311 Main Road, Building 632, Point Mugu, CA 93042 or the listed email.
Specific Tribes Identified as Affiliated
The Department of the Navy determined the remains and funerary objects are affiliated with the La Jolla Band of Luiseño Indians; Pala Band of Mission Indians; Pauma Band of Luiseño Mission Indians of the Pauma & Yuima Reservation; Pechanga Band of Indians; Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians; Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Mission Indians; and the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians. Those named tribes are identified as parties who may seek repatriation under this notice.
Who May Request Repatriation
Repatriation requests may be submitted by any one or more of the Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations identified in this notice, or by any lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization not identified in the notice that proves cultural affiliation by a preponderance of the evidence. If competing requests are received, the Navy must determine the most appropriate requestor; joint requests are treated as a single request.
Condition Note: No Hazard Records; Glue Present
The Navy reports there are no records that potentially hazardous substances were used to treat the human remains or funerary items. However, an unknown type of glue was used to mount the remains of one individual, and 264 funerary objects were glued in a shadowbox.
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