Forest Service Returns Ancestral Bones: Bureaucracy Meets Sacred Duty
Published Date: 3/19/2025
Notice
Summary
The Deschutes National Forest finished checking its collection of Native American human remains and related items. They found a clear connection to certain Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian groups. This means these items will be returned to the right communities, following important laws, with no cost or delays expected.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Repatriation to Affiliated Communities
The notice states that the affiliated human remains and associated funerary objects will be returned to the identified Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations in accordance with NAGPRA, and the Forest Service expects the returns to proceed with no cost or delays expected. This means those affiliated communities are slated to regain custody of the remains and objects.
Inventory Complete; Cultural Affiliation
The Deschutes National Forest completed an inventory under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) and determined there is a cultural affiliation between certain human remains and associated funerary objects and specific Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations. This official determination recognizes which communities are affiliated with those remains and objects.
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