Bureau Returns Texas Native Remains: Yawn-Worthy Routine Repatriation
Published Date: 3/19/2025
Notice
Summary
The U.S. Department of the Interior’s Oklahoma-Texas Area Office has finished checking and identifying Native American human remains and related items found in Texas. These remains and objects are linked to specific tribes, and they’re set to be returned starting April 18, 2025. This means tribes can soon reclaim their ancestors’ belongings, honoring their heritage with no cost involved.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
One Native American individual identified
The Bureau of Reclamation’s Oklahoma‑Texas Area Office identified the physical remains of one Native American individual and three associated funerary objects (two oyster shells and one mussel shell) recovered from archaeological site 41JK91 (Venom Hill) on September 20, 1974; charcoal from a nearby feature was dated to 2,300 ±90 BP. The OTAO determined these remains and objects are culturally affiliated with the Mescalero Apache Tribe of the Mescalero Reservation, New Mexico.
Repatriation eligible beginning April 18, 2025
The notice states that repatriation of the human remains and associated funerary objects may occur on or after April 18, 2025. Written repatriation requests must be sent to the authorized OTAO representative (Kate Ellison, Bureau of Reclamation, Oklahoma‑Texas Area Office) at the address and contact information listed in the notice.
Who may request repatriation and how disputes are handled
Written requests for repatriation may be submitted by any one or more of the Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations identified in the notice, or by any lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization not identified that proves cultural affiliation by a preponderance of the evidence. If competing requests are received, the OTAO will determine the most appropriate requestor; joint repatriation requests are treated as a single request.
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Key Dates
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The U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Reclamation in Oklahoma City has finished checking and identifying human remains found in Texas. These remains belong to Native American tribes, and they’re ready to be returned starting April 18, 2025. This means tribes can soon reclaim their ancestors with no cost or delay expected.