Maritime Refuge Seeks Kin for 2021-Found Ancestors
Published Date: 4/18/2025
Notice
Summary
The Washington Maritime National Wildlife Refuge plans to return Native American human remains found in 2021 to the right descendants or tribes. If no one claims them by April 20, 2026, the remains will be considered unclaimed. This affects Native communities connected to the area and ensures respectful handling of these important remains starting May 19, 2025.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Listed Tribes Have Repatriation Priority
The Washington Maritime National Wildlife Refuge Complex has identified the Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe; Lower Elwha Tribal Community; Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe; Puyallup Tribe of the Puyallup Reservation; Samish Indian Nation; Skokomish Indian Tribe; Suquamish Indian Tribe of the Port Madison Reservation; and the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community as having priority for disposition of the single Native American individual recovered. You (the listed tribes or lineal descendants) have priority to receive the human remains under this notice.
Claim Deadline and Unclaimed Status
Tribes or lineal descendants must send written claims for disposition by April 20, 2026 or the human remains will be declared unclaimed on that date. Disposition may occur on or after May 19, 2025, and competing claims must be resolved by the Refuge before disposition.
Remains Identified as One Native Individual from Site 45JE11
The notice states that the human remains represent at least one Native American individual found on or about September 10, 2021, associated with previously recorded cemetery site 45JE11, with no associated funerary objects. This identification supports claims by affiliated tribes and lineal descendants for disposition.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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