Washington Refuge Ready to Return Ancient Burial Goods
Published Date: 4/18/2025
Notice
Summary
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.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Human Remains and 166 Trade Beads Identified
The Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge identified the physical remains of one Native American individual and 166 associated funerary objects (trade beads) excavated in 1984. The remains and beads are culturally affiliated with the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon and the Cowlitz Indian Tribe and may be repatriated on or after May 19, 2025.
Who Can Request Repatriation and Process
Written repatriation requests may be submitted to the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge Complex by (1) any one or more of the Indian Tribes named in the notice, or (2) any lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization not named that shows, by a preponderance of the evidence, cultural affiliation. If competing requests are received, the Refuge must determine the most appropriate requestor; joint requests are treated as a single request. Repatriation may occur on or after May 19, 2025.
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Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-06648, Notice of Intended Repatriation: U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge Complex, Ridgefield, WA
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.
Next: 2025-06650, Notice of Intended Disposition: U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge Complex, Fallon, NV
The Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge in Nevada plans to return Native American human remains found there to the Paiute-Shoshone Tribe or other eligible groups. This process will start after May 19, 2025, and if no one claims the remains by April 20, 2026, they’ll be considered unclaimed. This action respects Native American heritage and follows important federal laws.