Refuge Returns Farm-Found Tribal Tools and Beads to Tribes
Published Date: 4/18/2025
Notice
Summary
The Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge in Washington plans to return 98 Native American cultural items, like stone tools and beads, to local tribes starting May 19, 2025. These items were found on a family farm that became part of the refuge and are linked to burial sites. This repatriation honors Native American heritage and involves the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde, Cowlitz Indian Tribe, and Chinook Nation.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
98 Native American items to be returned
The Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge Complex intends to repatriate 98 unassociated funerary cultural items to affiliated Native groups on or after May 19, 2025. The 98 items include a stone anchor, bracelets, metal buttons, a carved stone effigy, glass trade beads, hammerstones, mauls, stone net sinkers, projectile points, metal rings, and a metal knob.
Lower Columbia River NAGPRA Consortium formed
The Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon and the Cowlitz Indian Tribe have joined with the Chinook Nation to form the Lower Columbia River NAGPRA Consortium to work together on this repatriation. The Consortium will coordinate on the NAGPRA repatriation described in this notice.
How to request repatriation and competing claims
Any lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization may submit a written request for these items if they show by a preponderance of the evidence that they are culturally affiliated; repatriation may occur on or after May 19, 2025. If competing requests are received, the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge Complex will determine the most appropriate claimant; requests for joint repatriation are considered a single request.
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Previous: 2025-06647, Notice of Intended Repatriation: University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA
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Next: 2025-06649, Notice of Inventory Completion: U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge Complex, Ridgefield, WA
The Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge in Washington has finished checking its collection of human remains and old burial items, linking them to local Native American tribes. Starting May 19, 2025, these remains and objects can be returned to the tribes. This process honors Native traditions and respects cultural history without any cost impact to the public.