Tennessee Uni Returns Native Remains After Inventory Check
Published Date: 8/21/2025
Notice
Summary
The University of Tennessee’s Anthropology Department has finished checking their collection of Native American human remains and related items. They found these remains are connected to certain Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian groups. This means the university will work on returning these items to the right communities, following important laws, with no cost impact mentioned.
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Repatriation of Native American Remains
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Department of Anthropology completed an inventory under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). They determined certain human remains and associated funerary objects are culturally affiliated with specific Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations and will work to return those items to the affiliated communities under NAGPRA.
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Key Dates
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The University of Tennessee’s Anthropology Department has finished checking their collection of Native American human remains and related items. They’ve confirmed these remains belong to specific Native tribes or Native Hawaiian groups. This means the university is ready to return these items to the right communities, following important laws that protect Native heritage.