Michigan University Prepares Ancestral Remains for Return to Tribes
Published Date: 6/17/2025
Notice
Summary
The University of Michigan finished checking its collection of Native American ancestral remains and related items. They found these remains belong to certain Native tribes and are ready to return them starting July 17, 2025. This means tribes can soon reclaim their ancestors and sacred objects, with no cost involved.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Repatriation may occur starting July 17, 2025
The notice states that repatriation of the ancestral remains and associated funerary objects described may occur on or after July 17, 2025. That is the earliest date the University of Michigan may transfer the items to an eligible requestor.
Affiliated tribes named for these remains
The University of Michigan determined there is a connection between the ancestral remains and associated funerary objects and the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians; Seminole Tribe of Florida; and The Seminole Nation of Oklahoma. Those tribes are explicitly identified in this notice as culturally affiliated.
University inventory lists 10 Ancestors and 8 objects
The University of Michigan completed an inventory and identified ancestral human remains representing at least 10 Native American individuals and eight associated funerary objects. The eight objects are described as lots of shell, earthenware sherds, and animal bone fragments.
Who can request repatriation and how requests are handled
Written requests for repatriation must be sent to Dr. Ben Secunda at the University of Michigan (Office of Research, Suite G269, Lane Hall, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1274; email [email protected]). Requests may be submitted by any of the tribes named in this notice, any lineal descendant, or an Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization not named if they show by a preponderance of the evidence that they are affiliated. If competing requests are received, the University must determine the most appropriate requestor; joint repatriation requests are treated as a single request.
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