Idaho lab repatriates California Native ancestral remains
Published Date: 3/18/2025
Notice
Summary
The University of Idaho’s Alfred W. Bowers Laboratory just finished checking and listing Native American ancestral remains found in their collection. These remains, linked to tribes in California, can be returned to the tribes starting April 17, 2025. This update affects Native American groups and the university, ensuring respectful handling and possible repatriation of these important cultural items.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Named tribes may request repatriation
The University of Idaho has determined that the human remains of three Native American individuals are affiliated with these tribes: Buena Vista Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians of California; Chicken Ranch Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians of California; Guidiville Rancheria of California; Ione Band of Miwok Indians of California; Jackson Band of Miwuk Indians; Tule River Indian Tribe of the Tule River Reservation, California; and the Wilton Rancheria, California. Those named tribes may submit written requests for repatriation, and repatriation may occur on or after April 17, 2025.
Lineal descendants and others can also request returns
Any lineal descendant or any Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization not listed may also submit a written request for repatriation if they show, by a preponderance of the evidence, that they are culturally affiliated with the remains. If competing requests are received, the Alfred W. Bowers Laboratory of Anthropology, The University of Idaho must determine the most appropriate requestor; joint repatriation requests are treated as a single request.
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