Philadelphia School Finds Human Remains in Closet, Seeks Tribe
Published Date: 3/19/2025
Notice
Summary
The School District of Philadelphia found human remains in a school closet and finished checking if they belong to any Native American tribe. They found no connection to any tribe or descendants. Starting April 18, 2025, the remains can be returned if requested, with no money involved.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 1 mixed.
No Lineal Descendant or Tribe Identified
The School District of Philadelphia determined the human remains represent at least one individual of Native American ancestry but identified no known lineal descendant and no Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization with cultural affiliation. The notice also states there are no associated funerary objects for this individual.
Repatriation Available Starting April 18, 2025
Written requests to repatriate the human remains may be submitted and repatriation may occur on or after April 18, 2025. Requests must be sent to the authorized representative at the School District of Philadelphia named in the notice.
Claimants Must Prove Affiliation by Evidence
Any lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization may request repatriation only if they show, by a preponderance of the evidence, that they are a lineal descendant or have cultural affiliation to the remains.
How Competing or Joint Requests Are Handled
If competing requests for repatriation are received, the School District of Philadelphia must determine the most appropriate requestor before repatriation. Requests for joint repatriation are treated as a single request and not competing requests.
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