Oregon Museum Preps to Repatriate Kalapuya Ancestors and Treasures Homeward
Published Date: 12/17/2025
Notice
Summary
The University of Oregon Museum has finished checking its collection and found some Native American human remains and special items linked to the Kalapuya people. These remains and objects can be returned to the tribes starting January 16, 2026. This means the museum is ready to give back important cultural treasures to the right Native groups, honoring their history and heritage.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Repatriation Eligible to Named Tribes
The University of Oregon Museum has identified human remains (one individual's deciduous tooth) and 73 associated funerary objects that are culturally affiliated with the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians of Oregon and the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon. These remains and objects may be returned to those tribes on or after January 16, 2026.
Who May Request Repatriation
Written requests for repatriation may be sent by any of the tribal organizations named in the notice, or by any lineal descendant or other tribe/organization that shows by a preponderance of the evidence they are a lineal descendant or culturally affiliated. Requests must be sent to the Museum's designated representative at the address and email given in the notice.
Competing and Joint Request Rules
If competing requests for repatriation are received, the University of Oregon Museum must determine the most appropriate requestor before repatriation. Requests for joint repatriation are treated as a single request and are not considered competing requests.
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