Forest Service Tallies Human Remains for Tribal Repatriation
Published Date: 12/19/2025
Notice
Summary
The Dakota Prairie Grasslands finished checking and listing old human remains and artifacts found in North Dakota. These remains and 877 related items belong to Native American tribes, and they can be returned starting January 20, 2026. This means tribes can soon reclaim their ancestors’ belongings, with no money involved but lots of respect and care.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Remains and 877 Items Available for Repatriation
Human remains representing at least one individual and 877 associated funerary objects recovered in 1984 from site 32MZ173 in McKenzie County, North Dakota are available for repatriation. Repatriation may occur on or after January 20, 2026, and written requests must be sent to the Dakota Prairie Grasslands authorized representative (Bethany A. Ihle, 2000 Miriam Circle, Bismarck, ND 58501).
Tribes Named as Culturally Affiliated
The Dakota Prairie Grasslands determined a cultural affiliation between the remains/objects and the Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes of the Fort Peck Indian Reservation, Montana, and the Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation, North Dakota. Those named tribes are identified parties for consultation and potential repatriation.
Other Claimants Can Seek Repatriation
Any lineal descendant or Indian Tribe not named may submit a written request to claim the remains or objects if they can show by a preponderance of the evidence that they are a lineal descendant or have cultural affiliation. If competing requests are received, the Dakota Prairie Grasslands will determine the most appropriate requestor; joint requests are treated as a single request.
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