Iowa Uni Returns Ancient Remains to Sioux City Tribes After Inventory Check
Published Date: 12/17/2025
Notice
Summary
The University of Iowa’s Office of the State Archaeologist has finished checking and identifying nine Native American ancestors’ remains found near Sioux City. These remains, taken in the 1970s and recently returned to Iowa, are now ready to be sent back to their tribes starting January 16, 2026. This important step respects Native cultures and follows the law, with no costs or hazards involved.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Nine Native American ancestors identified
The Office of the State Archaeologist identified human remains representing at least nine Native American individuals taken near Sioux City in the 1970s. The remains include two adult females, two adult males, one adult of unknown sex, and four juveniles (a neonate, a 1–2 year-old, a 3.5–4 year-old, and an 8–10 year-old); they were transferred back to Iowa in January 2025 and the site was designated 13WD261 in July 2025.
Repatriation date set January 16, 2026
Repatriation of the human remains described in this notice may occur on or after January 16, 2026. That date is the earliest when repatriation transfers to tribes or lineal descendants may begin under this notice.
Who may request repatriation and how
Written requests for repatriation must be sent to Dr. Lara Noldner at the Office of the State Archaeologist Bioarchaeology Program, University of Iowa (700 S Clinton Street, Iowa City, IA 52242; email: [email protected]). Requests may be submitted by any one or more of the Indian Tribes named in the notice or by a lineal descendant or tribe not named who shows by a preponderance of the evidence that they are a descendant or culturally affiliated; joint requests count as a single request and competing requests will be resolved by the OSA BP.
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