Forest Service Returns Ancestral Remains to Native Tribes
Published Date: 12/19/2025
Notice
Summary
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.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Priority repatriation for six tribes
The Tonto National Forest has determined that the Ak-Chin Indian Community; Gila River Indian Community; Hopi Tribe; Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community; Tohono O'odham Nation; and Zuni Tribe have priority to receive the human remains of 77 Native American individuals and 25 associated funerary objects recovered in spring and summer 2025 from 17 archaeological sites in Gila County, Arizona.
Who may claim and how to file
Written claims for disposition must be sent to Forest Supervisor Robert Trujillo at Tonto National Forest Supervisor's Office, 2324 E McDowell Road, Phoenix, AZ 85006, or by email to [email protected]. Claims may be submitted by any lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization identified in the notice, or by organizations or descendants not identified who show they have priority. Joint claims are treated as a single claim, and the Tonto National Forest will decide among competing claims.
Disposition date and claim deadline
Disposition of the remains and associated funerary objects may occur on or after January 20, 2026. If no claim for disposition is received by December 21, 2026, the human remains and associated funerary objects will be considered unclaimed.
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