Army Corps Returns Ancient Remains: Bureaucracy Meets Ancestral Respect
Published Date: 11/17/2025
Notice
Summary
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in San Francisco has finished checking and listing Native American human remains and related items found in Sonoma County. These remains and objects are linked to local tribes and could be returned starting December 17, 2025. If you want to request the return, you can contact the Corps before then—no money changes hands, just respect and care.
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Repatriation of Sonoma County remains
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers completed an inventory showing human remains representing six Native American individuals and 7,871 associated funerary objects from multiple Sonoma County sites. The Corps determined these remains and objects are culturally affiliated with the Cloverdale Rancheria of Pomo Indians; Dry Creek Rancheria Band of Pomo Indians; and the Kashia Band of Pomo Indians of the Stewarts Point Rancheria, and they may be repatriated to eligible tribes or lineal descendants on or after December 17, 2025. Written requests must be sent to Dr. Stephanie Bergman Sahinoglu at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, San Francisco District (450 Golden Gate Avenue, 4th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94102) or by the email address listed in the notice.
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Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-19965, Notice of Intended Repatriation: New York State Museum, Albany, NY
The New York State Museum plans to return 324 Native American cultural items linked to burial ceremonies to the rightful tribes. This repatriation can start on or after December 17, 2025, helping honor Native traditions and respect their heritage. If you want more info or to request repatriation, contact the museum soon!
Next: 2025-19967, Notice of Intended Repatriation: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, San Francisco District, San Francisco, CA
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in San Francisco plans to return 870 Native American cultural items found during dam construction in Sonoma County back to the affiliated tribes. This repatriation can start on or after December 17, 2025, helping honor Native heritage and respect sacred objects. If you want to learn more or request repatriation, contact the Corps before then.