Arizona National Forests to Repatriate Native Ancestors
Published Date: 3/17/2025
Notice
Summary
The Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests plans to return the remains of two Native American individuals and related cultural items found in Arizona to the Hopi, Acoma, or Zuni tribes. This process starts April 16, 2025, and if no one claims them by March 17, 2026, the items will be considered unclaimed. This is part of respecting Native American heritage and following the law.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Disposition window and unclaimed deadline
If you are a lineal descendant or tribal representative, the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests may return the remains or cultural items on or after April 16, 2025. If no written claim is received by March 17, 2026, the items will be treated as unclaimed human remains or cultural items.
Priority given to Hopi, Acoma, Zuni
The Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests has determined the Hopi Tribe of Arizona, the Pueblo of Acoma (New Mexico), and the Zuni Tribe (New Mexico) have priority for disposition of the human remains and cultural items based on cultural affiliation.
Who may file a claim and how
Written claims for disposition must be sent to the Apache-Sitgreaves official (Robert Lever at Springerville, AZ). Claims may be filed by any lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization identified in the notice, or by others who show by a preponderance of the evidence that they have priority for disposition. Joint disposition requests count as a single request; if competing claims arise, the Forest Service will decide the appropriate claimant.
Description and origin of the remains
The notice states the human remains represent at least two Native American individuals with artifacts indicating a Mogollon affiliation; the remains were surface-collected by Arizona Game and Fish along Lakeside Road, Navajo County (Lakeside, AZ) in 2016.
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