Cal Berkeley repatriates Native remains from dusty collections
Published Date: 4/11/2025
Notice
Summary
The University of California, Berkeley has finished checking its collection of Native American human remains and related items, confirming they belong to certain tribes and Native Hawaiian groups. Starting May 12, 2025, these remains and objects can be returned to their rightful communities. This process respects cultural heritage and involves no costs for the public.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Repatriation available starting May 12, 2025
Starting May 12, 2025, the University of California, Berkeley may return 112 Native American human remains and 3,018 lots of associated funerary objects to affiliated communities. The notice names the Buena Vista Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians of California; Ione Band of Miwok Indians of California; Jackson Band of Miwuk Indians; Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians (Shingle Springs Rancheria, Verona Tract); United Auburn Indian Community of the Auburn Rancheria of California; and the Wilton Rancheria as having a connection to these remains and objects.
Who may request repatriation and how
Repatriation requests may be submitted by any one or more of the tribes named in this notice, or by any lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization not named who demonstrates cultural affiliation by a preponderance of the evidence. Requests for joint repatriation count as a single request, and if competing requests are received, the University of California, Berkeley must determine the most appropriate requestor before returning the remains or objects.
Collections may have been treated with hazardous substances
The museum reports that collection spaces and items were treated with substances for preservation and pest control, and that some of those substances may be potentially hazardous. The museum also states that no records have been found to date indicating whether chemicals or natural substances were used prior to 1960.
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