Harvard Museum Identifies Remains and Jar for Tribal Return
Published Date: 5/5/2026
Notice
Summary
Harvard’s Warren Anatomical Museum has finished checking its collection and found human remains linked to Native American tribes near Lake Superior. Starting June 4, 2026, these remains and a special glass jar can be returned to the tribes. This means respectful repatriation is on the way, with no costs for the tribes involved.
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Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Repatriation Available Starting June 4, 2026
If you are an identified Indian Tribe or a lineal descendant, the human remains (an unborn fetus) and one associated glass specimen jar collected prior to 1874 from the area near Lake Superior, Michigan, may be repatriated beginning June 4, 2026. Written requests must be sent to the Peabody Museum/Harvard’s authorized representative named in the notice.
Museum Finds Cultural Affiliation With Specific Tribes
Harvard’s Peabody Museum and Warren Anatomical Museum determined the remains and associated jar are culturally affiliated with the following Indian Tribes: Bay Mills Indian Community; Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians; Hannahville Indian Community; Keweenaw Bay Indian Community; Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians; Little River Band of Ottawa Indians; Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians; Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi; Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi; Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians; Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan; and Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians.
Who May Request and How Competing Claims Are Handled
Repatriation requests may be submitted by any one or more of the tribes listed in this notice, or by any lineal descendant or tribe/organization not listed that proves cultural affiliation by a preponderance of the evidence. If competing requests are received, the Peabody Museum and Warren Anatomical Museum will determine the most appropriate requestor; joint repatriation requests are treated as a single request.
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