UF Museum Lists Native Remains for Tribal Return Process
Published Date: 12/19/2025
Notice
Summary
The University of Florida’s Museum of Natural History has finished checking and listing Native American human remains and related items from a Florida archaeological site. These remains and objects can be returned to the right Native tribes starting January 20, 2026. This means important cultural treasures will soon go back home, respecting Native American heritage without any cost to tribes.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Repatriation of Remains and Objects
The University of Florida identified human remains representing at least two Native American individuals and 14,604 associated funerary objects from Little Salt Springs (Sarasota County, Florida). The remains and objects have a documented cultural affiliation with the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians and the Seminole Tribe of Florida and may be repatriated on or after January 20, 2026.
Who Can Request Repatriation
Written requests for repatriation must be sent to David Blackburn at the University of Florida, Florida Museum of Natural History (1659 Museum Road, Gainesville, FL 32611) or by the listed email. Requests may be submitted by any one or more of the Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations identified in this notice, or by a lineal descendant or tribe/organization not named who proves cultural affiliation by a preponderance of the evidence; competing requests will be resolved by the museum and joint requests are treated as a single request.
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Previous: 2025-23339, Notice of Inventory Completion: University of Florida-Florida Museum of Natural History, Gainesville, FL
The University of Florida’s Museum of Natural History has finished checking its collection and found human remains and artifacts linked to Native American tribes. They’re ready to return these items starting January 20, 2026, to honor cultural connections. This affects at least 90 individuals’ remains and over 15,000 objects from sites in Florida, with no costs or delays expected.
Next: 2025-23341, Notice of Intended Disposition: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Tonto National Forest, Phoenix, AZ
The Tonto National Forest in Arizona plans to return the remains of 77 Native American individuals and 25 related artifacts to their rightful tribes or descendants starting January 20, 2026. If no one claims them by December 21, 2026, these items will be considered unclaimed. This action respects Native American heritage and follows important laws protecting their ancestors.