Kansas Society Identifies and Returns Native Remains from Coffey County
Published Date: 12/17/2025
Notice
Summary
The Kansas State Historical Society has finished checking and identifying two Native American human remains found in Coffey County, Kansas. These remains are connected to the Kaw Nation, Nez Perce Tribe, and Wichita and Affiliated Tribes. Starting January 16, 2026, tribes can officially request to have these remains returned to them.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Cultural Affiliation Identified to Three Tribes
The Kansas State Historical Society found that two Native American human remains from Coffey County, Kansas are culturally affiliated with the Kaw Nation (Oklahoma), the Nez Perce Tribe, and the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes (Wichita, Keechi, Waco, & Tawakonie), Oklahoma. This formal determination links those remains to those tribes for purposes of repatriation under NAGPRA.
Repatriation Requests Open Starting January 16, 2026
Tribes and eligible lineal descendants may submit written repatriation requests for the two human remains; repatriation may occur on or after January 16, 2026. Requests may be made by any tribe named in the notice, any lineal descendant, or another tribe/organization that proves cultural affiliation; if competing requests occur, the Kansas State Historical Society will decide the most appropriate requestor.
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