Peabody Museum Preps Return of Native Remains and Artifacts to Tribes
Published Date: 12/16/2025
Notice
Summary
Harvard’s Peabody Museum has finished checking its collection and found human remains and artifacts linked to Native American tribes. Starting January 15, 2026, these items can be returned to the tribes that they belong to. This means important cultural treasures will soon be going back home, honoring Native communities and their history.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Peabody to Return Remains Beginning Jan 15, 2026
The Peabody Museum has identified human remains representing 148 individuals and 30 associated funerary objects that have a cultural affiliation with the Ak-Chin Indian Community; Gila River Indian Community; Hopi Tribe; Salt River Pima‑Maricopa Indian Community; Tohono O'odham Nation; and Zuni Tribe. These items may be repatriated to those tribes on or after January 15, 2026.
Who May Request Repatriation and Process Rules
Repatriation requests may be submitted by any one or more of the Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations named in this notice, or by a lineal descendant or tribe/organization not named that shows cultural affiliation by a preponderance of the evidence. Repatriation to a requestor may occur on or after January 15, 2026; competing requests must be resolved by the Peabody Museum, and joint requests are treated as a single request.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-04606, Alaska; Hunting and Trapping in National Preserves
The National Park Service wants to update hunting and trapping rules in Alaska’s national preserves to bring back long-standing practices that support state-authorized wildlife harvests and public access. These changes affect hunters, trappers, and anyone using Alaska park lands, aiming to balance conservation with local traditions. You’ve got until April 9, 2026, to share your thoughts—no new fees or costs are expected.
2026-16388, Powered Micromobility Devices
The National Park Service finalizes a management framework for the use of powered micromobility devices within the National Park System. The final rule defines powered micromobility devices separately from motor vehicles, traditional bicycles, electric bicycles, and human powered coasting devices, and creates rules for where and how they may be used in units of the National Park System. Examples of powered micromobility devices include electric scooters (e- scooters), hoverboards, and Segways.
2026-15406, First State National Historical Park; Bicycling
The National Park Service (NPS) proposes to issue special regulations for First State National Historical Park to allow for bicycle use on approximately 25 miles of trails within the Brandywine Valley unit of the park.
2026-14720, Notice of Inventory Completion: American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY
The American Museum of Natural History has finished checking 55 ancient items linked to Native American tribes near Croton Point, New York. Starting August 21, 2026, these items can be officially returned to the tribes that they belong to. This is a big step in respecting Native cultures and making sure their history is honored properly.
2026-14332, National Register of Historic Places; Notification of Pending Nominations and Related Actions
The National Park Service is asking for your thoughts on historic places nominated before July 4, 2026, to be added to the National Register of Historic Places. If you care about preserving cool old buildings or sites, now’s your chance to comment by July 31, 2026. This process helps protect important places without costing you a dime, but your voice matters!
2026-14165, Notice of Intended Repatriation: University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
The University of California, Berkeley plans to return some special Native American and Native Hawaiian cultural items, like sacred baskets and pottery, to the tribes they belong to. This repatriation will start on or after August 14, 2026, and helps honor the history and traditions of these communities. No money changes hands, but it’s a big step in respecting cultural heritage.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-22917, Notice of Inventory Completion: Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Harvard’s Peabody Museum has finished checking its collection and found some Native American hair samples from the Fort Mohave Indian School and Sherman Institute. These remains are linked to Native tribes, and starting January 15, 2026, they can be returned to the right communities. If you want to request the return, you can contact the museum soon!
Next: 2025-22919, Notice of Intended Repatriation: Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Harvard’s Peabody Museum plans to return 30 cultural items like sacred objects and funerary artifacts to Native American tribes connected to Arizona sites. This repatriation will start on or after January 15, 2026, honoring Native communities and their heritage. No money changes hands, but this is a big step in respecting cultural history and following the law.