University of Kansas Completes Inventory of Native American Cultural Items
Published Date: 12/16/2025
Notice
Summary
The University of Kansas has finished checking its collection and found Native American human remains linked to the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. Starting January 15, 2026, these remains can be returned to the tribes. This is part of a respectful effort to honor Native American heritage and follow important laws.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
University Identifies Tribal Affiliation
The University of Kansas determined that human remains represent at least one Native American individual and identified a cultural affiliation with the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Reservation and the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes of the Fort Hall Reservation.
Repatriation Allowed Starting January 15, 2026
The notice states that repatriation of the human remains may occur on or after January 15, 2026, allowing return actions to begin on that date.
Who Can Request Repatriation and Decision Rules
The University will accept repatriation requests from the tribes named in the notice, from lineal descendants, or from other tribes or organizations that can show cultural affiliation by a preponderance of the evidence; if competing requests arise, the University must determine the most appropriate requestor and joint requests count as a single request.
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The Kansas State Historical Society has finished checking 240 ancient objects linked to Native American tribes and is ready to return them starting January 15, 2026. These items, found in Saline County, include tools, pottery, and shells, and belong to tribes connected to the area. If you want to request these objects, you can contact the Society soon to start the repatriation process.
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