Washington State Parks to Repatriate Native Remains from Park Upgrades
Published Date: 12/18/2025
Notice
Summary
Washington State Parks has finished checking and listing ancient human remains and artifacts found during construction work. They’ve confirmed these remains belong to Native American tribes and are ready to return them starting January 20, 2026. This means tribes can now ask to have their ancestors’ remains and belongings respectfully sent back.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Inventory Found Six Individuals, 65,502 Objects
Washington State Parks found human remains representing at least six individuals and identified 65,502 associated funerary objects (including shell, bone, stone tools, ochre, charcoal, and botanical material) from site 45-IS-2. The materials were recovered during work between 2000 and 2008 and State Parks determined they are of Native American ancestry.
Repatriation Authorized Starting January 20, 2026
State Parks says repatriation of these human remains and 65,502 associated funerary objects may occur on or after January 20, 2026. Written requests for repatriation must be sent to the named State Parks representative at the listed PO Box in Olympia, WA or the provided email address.
Who May Request Repatriation and How Conflicts Are Resolved
The notice says the Sauk-Suiattle, Stillaguamish, Swinomish, Tulalip, and Upper Skagit tribes are identified as culturally affiliated and may request repatriation. It also allows any lineal descendant or other tribe/Native Hawaiian organization to request repatriation if they show by a preponderance of the evidence that they are affiliated; if there are competing requests, State Parks will decide the most appropriate requestor, and joint requests count as a single request.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this federal register document and every other regulation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions 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.
2026-11850 — Agency Information Collection Activities; National Park Service Concessions Forms
The National Park Service is updating its forms for businesses that run services inside parks, like gift shops and food stands. These changes make it easier for companies to apply and keep things running smoothly, with no extra costs or delays expected. If you work with park concessions, keep an eye out for new form rules coming soon!
2026-11701 — Notice of Intended Repatriation: American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY
The American Museum of Natural History plans to return five Native Hawaiian cultural items, like stone tools, that were taken from burial sites on Oʻahu back in 1938. This repatriation will start on or after July 13, 2026, giving Native Hawaiian groups a chance to reclaim their heritage. No money changes hands, but it’s a big step in respecting and restoring Native Hawaiian history.
2026-11700 — Notice of Inventory Completion: American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY
The American Museum of Natural History has finished checking its collection and found human remains and a bone tool linked to Native American tribes. Starting July 13, 2026, these items can be returned to the tribes that they belong to. If you want to request the return, you can contact the museum directly—just a heads-up, some items might need careful handling due to past pesticide use.
2026-11238 — Notice of Inventory Completion: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
The University of Michigan has finished checking its collection and found Native American ancestral remains from a historic site in Michigan. These remains can be returned to the affiliated tribes starting July 6, 2026. This means the university is ready to give back these important cultural items, following the law, with no costs or risks involved.
2026-11232 — Notice of Intended Repatriation: University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
The University of California, Berkeley plans to return four important cultural items—two baskets and two charmstones—to Native American tribes connected to them. This repatriation will start on or after July 6, 2026, honoring the tribes’ heritage and history. No money changes hands, but the university is making sure these treasures go back to their rightful communities.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-23198 — Notice of Intended Repatriation: Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK
The Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History plans to return 13 sacred prayer offerings to the Pueblo of Acoma and Pueblo of Laguna, New Mexico, starting January 20, 2026. These items were taken from a shrine site and are officially recognized as culturally important. This repatriation respects Native American heritage and involves no cost to the tribes.
Next: 2025-23200 — Notice of Intended Repatriation: Missouri Historical Society, St. Louis, MO
The Missouri Historical Society plans to return a sacred catlinite pipe to the Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma, honoring their cultural and religious traditions. This special repatriation can happen starting January 20, 2026, with no costs involved. If anyone else wants to request the item, they need to contact the Society soon.