Aniakchak Park Prepares to Return or Abandon Native American Remains
Published Date: 3/18/2025
Notice
Summary
The National Park Service at Aniakchak National Monument in Alaska plans to return some Native American human remains found at an archaeological site to the rightful descendants or tribes. If no one claims them by March 18, 2026, the remains will be considered unclaimed. This process starts on April 17, 2025, and affects Native communities connected to the area.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Claim window and unclaimed deadline
You (lineal descendants or tribes) can request the remains starting April 17, 2025. If no written claim is received by March 18, 2026, the human remains will be declared unclaimed.
Who may claim and how to submit
Written claims must be sent to the Aniakchak superintendent at the address provided. 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 for disposition.
Tribes with priority for disposition
The following groups have priority for disposition of the remains: Chignik Bay Tribal Council; Chignik Lake Village; Native Village of Chignik Lagoon; Native Village of Perryville; Native Village of Pilot Point; and Native Village of Port Heiden.
Remains identified and storage location
The notice states the human remains represent at least one Native American individual (12 bones: seven deciduous teeth, three permanent teeth, two phalanges) and that no associated funerary objects are present; the remains are stored at the Alaska Regional Curatorial Center in Anchorage, AK.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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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.
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