Yale Peabody Museum Lists Items for Tribal Homecoming
Published Date: 12/16/2025
Notice
Summary
Yale Peabody Museum has finished checking its collection and found human remains linked to Native American tribes from the Turners Falls area in Massachusetts. Starting January 15, 2026, these remains can be returned to the tribes that are connected to them. This is part of a respectful effort to honor Native American heritage and follow the law.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Tribal affiliation confirmed; 13 remains identified
Yale Peabody Museum determined the human remains represent the physical remains of 13 Native American individuals linked to the Stockbridge Munsee Community, Wisconsin. The remains were removed from the Turners Falls vicinity in Franklin County, Massachusetts, and this cultural affiliation is now formally recognized.
Repatriation eligibility and process rules
Repatriation requests may be submitted by any of the Indian Tribes named in the notice, by lineal descendants, or by tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations that show cultural affiliation by a preponderance of the evidence. Repatriation to an approved requestor may occur on or after January 15, 2026, and the Yale Peabody Museum will resolve competing requests and treat joint repatriation requests as a single request.
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