Michigan Office Returns Native Burial Objects to Tribes
Published Date: 12/19/2025
Notice
Summary
The Michigan State Historic Preservation Office has finished listing three old funerary objects found in Michigan and confirmed they belong to Native American tribes. Starting January 20, 2026, these items can be officially returned to the tribes. This process helps honor Native American heritage and involves no costs or risks to those handling the objects.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Repatriation allowed starting Jan 20, 2026
Three associated funerary objects may be officially returned to affiliated tribes on or after January 20, 2026. The objects are associated with the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community and the Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians of Michigan.
Who may request repatriation and how
Written requests for repatriation may be sent to Sarah Surface-Evans at the Michigan State Historic Preservation Office (300 N Washington Square, Lansing, MI 48913 or the listed email). Requests may be made by the tribes named in the notice, by lineal descendants, or by other tribes or organizations who show by a preponderance of the evidence that they are culturally affiliated.
Objects identified and handling safety noted
The inventory lists one lot iron axe head, one lot glass beads, and one lot ferrous knife fragment removed from the Fourteen Mile Point site (20ON84), discovered in 1983. The SHPO reported no record or knowledge of treatment with pesticides or preservatives that would pose a hazard to collections or people handling the items.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile 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.
2026-16388, Powered Micromobility Devices
The National Park Service finalizes a management framework for the use of powered micromobility devices within the National Park System. The final rule defines powered micromobility devices separately from motor vehicles, traditional bicycles, electric bicycles, and human powered coasting devices, and creates rules for where and how they may be used in units of the National Park System. Examples of powered micromobility devices include electric scooters (e- scooters), hoverboards, and Segways.
2026-15406, First State National Historical Park; Bicycling
The National Park Service (NPS) proposes to issue special regulations for First State National Historical Park to allow for bicycle use on approximately 25 miles of trails within the Brandywine Valley unit of the park.
2026-14720, Notice of Inventory Completion: American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY
The American Museum of Natural History has finished checking 55 ancient items linked to Native American tribes near Croton Point, New York. Starting August 21, 2026, these items can be officially returned to the tribes that they belong to. This is a big step in respecting Native cultures and making sure their history is honored properly.
2026-14332, National Register of Historic Places; Notification of Pending Nominations and Related Actions
The National Park Service is asking for your thoughts on historic places nominated before July 4, 2026, to be added to the National Register of Historic Places. If you care about preserving cool old buildings or sites, now’s your chance to comment by July 31, 2026. This process helps protect important places without costing you a dime, but your voice matters!
2026-14165, Notice of Intended Repatriation: University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
The University of California, Berkeley plans to return some special Native American and Native Hawaiian cultural items, like sacred baskets and pottery, to the tribes they belong to. This repatriation will start on or after August 14, 2026, and helps honor the history and traditions of these communities. No money changes hands, but it’s a big step in respecting cultural heritage.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-23374, Notice of Inventory Completion: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
The University of Michigan has finished checking its collection and found that some ancient Native American remains and objects belong to local tribes. Starting January 20, 2026, these ancestral remains and items can be returned to the tribes. This is a respectful step to honor Native American heritage, with no costs or risks involved for anyone handling the items.
Next: 2025-23376, Notice of Inventory Completion: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL
The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign found Native American human remains linked to the Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma. Starting January 20, 2026, these remains can be officially returned to the tribe. If you want to request the return, you need to contact the university by writing to their representative.