Katmai Park to Repatriate 12 Ancestors and 104 Items from Mink Island
Published Date: 3/18/2025
Notice
Summary
The National Park Service at Katmai National Park in Alaska plans to return the remains of at least 12 people and 104 special burial items found at Mink Island to Native American tribes or Native Hawaiian groups. This process starts April 17, 2025, and if no one claims them by March 18, 2026, the items will be considered unclaimed. This affects tribes connected to the site and helps honor their ancestors respectfully.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
Fixed Claim Window and Unclaimed Deadline
Claims to receive the human remains and funerary objects must be submitted before March 18, 2026; disposition may begin on or after April 17, 2025. If no claim is received by March 18, 2026, the human remains and 104 associated funerary objects will be considered unclaimed.
Listed Tribes Have Repatriation Priority
If you are a member of or represent one of the named Alaska Native villages or tribal organizations (for example, the Alutiiq Tribe of Old Harbor, King Salmon Tribe, Naknek Native Village, and others listed), you have priority to receive the human remains and 104 associated funerary objects from the Mink Island site. The notice covers human remains representing at least 12 individuals and 104 objects and disposition may occur on or after April 17, 2025.
Who May Claim and How Competing Claims Are Handled
Claims may be submitted 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. If competing claims are received, Katmai National Park and Preserve (KATM) will decide the most appropriate claimant; requests for joint disposition are treated as a single request.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-04606, Alaska; Hunting and Trapping in National Preserves
The National Park Service wants to update hunting and trapping rules in Alaska’s national preserves to bring back long-standing practices that support state-authorized wildlife harvests and public access. These changes affect hunters, trappers, and anyone using Alaska park lands, aiming to balance conservation with local traditions. You’ve got until April 9, 2026, to share your thoughts—no new fees or costs are expected.
2026-20013, Agency Information Collection Activities; Archeology Permit Applications and Reports
The National Park Service wants to keep collecting info for archeology permits and reports, making sure the process stays smooth and clear. This affects archeologists and anyone applying for permits to dig or study artifacts in parks. They’re asking for comments by October 30, 2026, but no changes to fees or big costs are planned.
2026-20015, Agency Information Collection Activities; National Park Service Concessions Forms
The National Park Service is asking to keep using their current forms for park concessions, like shops and services, without changes. This affects businesses working with the parks and helps reduce paperwork hassle. You’ve got until October 30, 2026, to share your thoughts—no fees or new costs involved!
2026-19996, Notice of Intended Repatriation: California State University, Sacramento, Sacramento, CA
California State University, Sacramento plans to return over 8,500 cultural items to Native American tribes connected to northern Tehama County. These items include stones, bones, pigments, and historic materials, and the repatriation can start on or after October 30, 2026. This move respects Native heritage and involves no cost to the public but honors important cultural ties.
2026-19002, National Park Service Alaska Region Subsistence Resource Commission Program; Notice of Public Meetings
The National Park Service is holding meetings for Alaska's Subsistence Resource Commissions to discuss local hunting, fishing, and gathering rules. These meetings affect residents who rely on park resources and will happen mostly in October and November 2026, with one in February 2027. No big costs are expected, but these talks help keep subsistence traditions alive and fair.
2026-18306, Official Trail Marker for Butterfield Overland National Historic Trail
This notice issues the official trail marker insignia for the Butterfield Overland National Historic Trail in the National Trails System. The original graphic image for Butterfield Overland National Historic Trail was developed in 2026 with the completion of the Butterfield Overland National Historic Trail Comprehensive Plan. The National Park Service and related agencies have officially adopted and use this insignia to help mark all designated alignments of the Butterfield Overland National Historic Trail.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-04365, Notice of Intended Disposition: United States Marine Corps, Marine Corps Base Hawaii (MCBH) Kaneohe Bay, Kaneohe Bay, HI
The Marine Corps Base Hawaii found Native Hawaiian human remains at their Kaneohe Bay training area and plans to return them to the right Native Hawaiian groups starting April 17, 2025. If no one claims the remains by March 18, 2026, they’ll be considered unclaimed. This is all part of respecting Native Hawaiian heritage and following important laws.
Next: 2025-04367, Notice of Intended Disposition: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Katmai National Park and Preserve, King Salmon, AK
The National Park Service at Katmai National Park in Alaska plans to return human remains and eight funerary items found at the Cutbank Site to the rightful Native descendants or tribes starting April 17, 2025. If no one claims them by March 18, 2026, these remains and objects will be considered unclaimed. This action respects Native American heritage and follows important legal rules to honor those who came before us.