Princeton University to Repatriate Ancestral Native Remains After Inventory
Published Date: 12/19/2025
Notice
Summary
Princeton University has finished checking its collection and found three Native American human remains from Washington state. These remains can be returned to the affiliated tribes starting January 20, 2026. If you want to request the return, contact Princeton University soon—no money changes hands, just respect and care for history.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Affiliated Tribes Can Request Repatriation
Princeton University says three Native American human remains from Sequim Bay, Washington, are affiliated with the Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe, the Lower Elwha Tribal Community, and the Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe. Those tribes, any lineal descendant, or another tribe/organization that proves cultural affiliation may send written requests for repatriation; repatriation may occur on or after January 20, 2026. Written requests must be sent to Lauren Jakobsson at the Princeton University Art Museum (Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544) or the email listed in the notice.
How Competing Repatriation Claims Are Decided
If more than one valid request for these human remains is received, Princeton University must determine the most appropriate requestor before repatriation. Requests made jointly are treated as a single request and not competing requests.
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