2026-06823Notice

University to Return Navajo Child's Remains Upon Tribal Request

Published Date: 4/9/2026

Notice

Summary

Case Western Reserve University has finished checking its collection and found one Native American child’s remains linked to the Navajo Nation. Starting May 11, 2026, the university will return these remains if the tribe asks for them. This is a respectful step to honor Native American heritage and keep history clear.

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Repatriation Available to Navajo Nation

Case Western Reserve University will return one Native American child’s human remains to the Navajo Nation (Arizona, New Mexico, & Utah) if the tribe requests repatriation on or after May 11, 2026. The remains are a skull identified as a 4-year-old boy from Newcomb, New Mexico, donated in 1930, and no associated funerary objects are present.

Lineal Descendants May Request Repatriation

Any lineal descendant or any Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization not listed may request the remains by showing, by a preponderance of the evidence, that they are a lineal descendant or culturally affiliated; repatriation to an approved requestor may occur on or after May 11, 2026. Competing requests must be resolved by Case Western Reserve University; written requests must be sent to the university representative listed in the notice.

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Key Dates

Published Date
Effective Date
4/9/2026
5/11/2026

Department and Agencies

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Independent Agency
Agency
Interior Department
National Park Service
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