U.S. Navy Confirms and Readies Native Remains for Return
Published Date: 4/9/2026
Notice
Summary
The U.S. Navy has finished checking its collection of Native American human remains from San Nicolas Island, California, and confirmed they belong to specific Native tribes. Starting May 11, 2026, these remains can be returned to the tribes for proper care and respect. This process doesn’t involve money but honors cultural connections and history.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Eighty-one Native American Remains Identified
The Navy's inventory found the physical remains of 81 Native American individuals removed from San Nicolas Island and San Clemente Island. The notice says there are no associated funerary objects and no records of hazardous substances used on the remains.
Tribes Named as Culturally Affiliated
The Department of the Navy determined the remains are culturally affiliated with the La Jolla Band of Luiseno Indians; Pala Band of Mission Indians; Pauma Band of Luiseno Mission Indians of the Pauma & Yuima Reservation; Pechanga Band of Indians; Rincon Band of Luiseno Indians; Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Mission Indians; and the Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians. Those named tribes are identified as having a connection to the remains.
How and Who May Request Repatriation
Written repatriation requests may be submitted to John O'Connor, Cultural Resources Manager, Naval Base Ventura County, 311 Main Road, Building 632, Point Mugu, CA 93042, or by email to the address in the notice. Requests may be made by any one or more of the tribes named in this notice or by any lineal descendant or tribe that shows by a preponderance of the evidence they are affiliated; repatriation may occur on or after May 11, 2026, and competing requests will be resolved by the Navy (joint requests count as a single request).
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