Fishers Island Museum Returns Ancestral Remains to Pequot and Other Tribes
Published Date: 12/16/2025
Notice
Summary
The Henry L Ferguson Museum in Fishers Island, NY, has finished checking its collection and found human remains and old items linked to Native American tribes. These remains and objects are connected to the Mashantucket Pequot, Narragansett, and Shinnecock tribes. Starting January 15, 2026, these items can be returned to the tribes, with no costs mentioned for anyone involved.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Repatriation to Three Named Tribes
The Henry L Ferguson Museum identified human remains representing one Native American individual with two associated funerary objects (one musket ball showing dental imprints and one paint pot) and determined they are culturally affiliated with the Mashantucket Pequot, the Narragansett, and the Shinnecock. These remains and objects may be repatriated to those tribes on or after January 15, 2026; written requests should be sent to Elizabeth McCance at the Henry L Ferguson Museum (P.O. Box 554, Fishers Island, NY 06390) or emccance@fergusonmuseum.org.
Other Claimants May Request Repatriation
Any lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization not named in the notice may submit a written repatriation request if they show by a preponderance of the evidence that they are a lineal descendant or have cultural affiliation. Requests must be sent to Elizabeth McCance at the Henry L Ferguson Museum (P.O. Box 554, Fishers Island, NY 06390) or emccance@fergusonmuseum.org; competing requests will be resolved by the museum and repatriation may occur on or after January 15, 2026.
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