Merced College set to return Valley tribes' sacred funerary items
Published Date: 12/18/2025
Notice
Summary
Merced College has finished checking its collection and found human remains linked to Native American tribes from California’s Central Valley. Starting January 20, 2026, these remains and a funerary object can be returned to the tribes. If you want to request repatriation, contact Merced College soon—this is a big step in respecting Native heritage!
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Repatriation of 24 Native Remains
Merced College identified human remains representing at least 24 Native American individuals and one associated funerary object (one possible charmstone). These remains and the funerary object may be returned to affiliated tribes on or after January 20, 2026, under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA).
Who Can Request Repatriation
Any one or more of the Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations named in the notice may submit written requests for repatriation to Merced College. A lineal descendant or a tribe/organization not listed may also request repatriation if they show by a preponderance of the evidence that they are a lineal descendant or culturally affiliated; if competing requests are received, Merced College will determine the most appropriate requestor and joint requests are treated as a single request.
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