Chico State Opens Path to Repatriate Chumash Ancestors' Remains
Published Date: 6/17/2025
Notice
Summary
California State University, Chico has finished checking their collection and found Native American human remains linked to the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Mission Indians. Starting July 17, 2025, these remains can be officially returned to the tribe. If you’re part of the tribe or a descendant, you can ask for the remains to be sent back by contacting the university.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Human Remains Linked to Santa Ynez Band
California State University, Chico identified human remains (Accession 253-26) representing at least one Native American individual with documentation reading “Chumash Joe, Southern California.” The university determined these remains are culturally affiliated with the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Mission Indians of the Santa Ynez Reservation, California.
Repatriation Can Occur Starting July 17, 2025
Repatriation of the human remains may occur on or after July 17, 2025. Written requests for repatriation must be sent to Rachel McBride-Praetorius, California State University, Chico, 400 W 1st Street, Chico, CA 95929, email [email protected].
Who May Request Repatriation
Requests for repatriation may be submitted by the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Mission Indians identified in the notice. Requests also may be submitted by any lineal descendant or by an Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization not named in the notice if the requester shows by a preponderance of the evidence that they are a lineal descendant or have cultural affiliation.
Competing or Joint Repatriation Requests
If competing requests for repatriation are received, California State University, Chico must determine the most appropriate requestor before repatriation. Requests for joint repatriation are treated as a single request and not as competing requests.
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Previous: 2025-11146, Notice of Inventory Completion: Los Rios Community College District, Sacramento, CA
Los Rios Community College District found human remains and a funerary object from Native American ancestors during a 2024 campus audit. These items, taken decades ago from sites in Santa Barbara County, are now ready to be returned to the affiliated tribes starting July 17, 2025. This respectful repatriation honors Native heritage and follows important legal steps, with no costs or hazards involved.
Next: 2025-11148, Notice of Inventory Completion: U.S. Department of Defense, Defense Health Agency, National Museum of Health and Medicine, Silver Spring, MD
The National Museum of Health and Medicine has finished checking and identifying five Native American human remains linked to the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Mission Indians in California. These remains, found in the late 1800s, can be returned to the tribe starting July 17, 2025. If you want to request the return, contact the museum soon—no money changes hands, just respect and care.