Michigan Museum Lists Sioux Remains for Tribal Return
Published Date: 3/19/2025
Notice
Summary
The Grand Rapids Public Museum has finished checking its collection and found Native American human remains and burial items linked to the Cheyenne River Sioux and Crow Creek Sioux Tribes. These remains and objects might be returned to the tribes starting April 18, 2025. This is a respectful step to honor Native American heritage and history.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Museum Identifies Remains and Affiliated Tribes
The Grand Rapids Public Museum identified human remains representing at least one Native American individual and 14 associated funerary objects (one lot of bone and stone tools, one lot of shards, one lot of flint chips, and one lot of animal bones) acquired in 1878 from a burial mound in Sioux Falls, Minnehaha County, South Dakota. The museum determined these remains and objects are culturally affiliated with the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe; Crow Creek Sioux Tribe; Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe; Lower Brule Sioux Tribe; Lower Sioux Indian Community (Minnesota); Oglala Sioux Tribe; Omaha Tribe of Nebraska; Prairie Island Indian Community (Minnesota); Rosebud Sioux Tribe; Santee Sioux Nation (Nebraska); Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (Minnesota); Sisseton‑Wahpeton Oyate of the Lake Traverse Reservation; Standing Rock Sioux Tribe; Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation (North Dakota); Upper Sioux Community (Minnesota); Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska; and the Yankton Sioux Tribe of South Dakota.
Who Can Request Repatriation and When
The named Tribes, any lineal descendant, or any Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization that shows by a preponderance of the evidence that it is culturally affiliated may submit written requests for repatriation to the Grand Rapids Public Museum (contact: Alex Forist, Grand Rapids Public Museum). Repatriation may occur on or after April 18, 2025; if competing requests are received the museum must determine the most appropriate requestor and joint repatriation requests 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: 2025-04615, Notice of Inventory Completion: U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, Alaska Region, Anchorage, AK
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Alaska has finished checking and listing Native American human remains and related items from Atka and Agattu Islands. These remains, linked to local tribes, are set to be returned starting April 18, 2025. This means tribes can soon reclaim their ancestors respectfully, with no costs or delays mentioned.
Next: 2025-04617, Notice of Inventory Completion: Grand Rapids Public Museum, Grand Rapids, MI
The Grand Rapids Public Museum has finished checking its collection and found human remains linked to Native American tribes. Starting April 18, 2025, these remains can be returned to the tribes. This is part of a respectful effort to honor Native American heritage and follow the law.