Angeles Forest to Return Native Bones and Sacred Items
Published Date: 4/11/2025
Notice
Summary
The U.S. Forest Service at Angeles National Forest in Arcadia, CA, plans to return Native American human remains and cultural items found on federal or tribal lands to the rightful tribes or descendants. This process starts May 12, 2025, and if no one claims the items by April 13, 2026, they’ll be considered unclaimed. This affects Native American communities connected to these artifacts and ensures respectful handling of their heritage.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Planned return of Native remains
The U.S. Forest Service at Angeles National Forest intends to return Native American human remains and cultural items to lineal descendants, Indian Tribes, or Native Hawaiian organizations in accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). Disposition may occur on or after May 12, 2025, and items will be considered unclaimed if no claim is received by April 13, 2026.
Yuhaaviatam holds priority claim
The Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation has priority for disposition of the human remains and the cultural item described in this notice and submitted a formal written claim on October 11, 2024. This priority applies to remains and items from archaeological sites CA-LAN-1977 and FS #05-01-55-137.
Identified remains and funerary object
The notice identifies human remains representing at least two individuals recovered from archaeological sites CA-LAN-1977 and FS #05-01-55-137, and one associated funerary object (a drilled pendant). These items are the subject of the repatriation and disposition process described in the notice.
How to claim and claim deadline
Claims for disposition must be sent to Roman Luis Torres, Forest Supervisor at USFS--Angeles National Forest, and may be submitted by any lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization. Claims must be received by April 13, 2026; disposition may occur on or after May 12, 2025; joint requests are treated as a single request and competing claims will be resolved by the Forest Service before disposition.
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