Oberlin College Repatriates Native Remains from Its Shelves
Published Date: 1/13/2026
Notice
Summary
Oberlin College has finished checking its collection and found Native American human remains and a textile linked to local tribes. Starting February 12, 2026, these items can be returned to the tribes who are connected to them. If you want to request the return, contact Oberlin College’s Anthropology Department soon!
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Human Remains and Textile Eligible for Return
Oberlin College identified human remains representing at least one Native American individual and one associated funerary object (a textile fragment roughly 3 x 6 cm). These items came from Scioto County and the Westenhaver Mound site (33PI11) in Pickaway County, Ohio, and may be repatriated on or after February 12, 2026.
Which Groups Can Request Repatriation
Repatriation requests may be submitted by any one or more of the following tribes: Absentee-Shawnee Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma; Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma; Match-e-be-nash-she-wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians of Michigan; Miami Tribe of Oklahoma; Shawnee Tribe; and the Wyandotte Nation. Other lineal descendants or tribes/organizations not listed may also request repatriation if they show by a preponderance of the evidence that they are lineal descendants or culturally affiliated. Send written requests to Dr. Amy Margaris, Oberlin College Department of Anthropology, King Building, 10 N Professor Street, Oberlin, OH 44074, or email [email protected].
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Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-00464, Notice of Inventory Completion: Oberlin College, Oberlin, OH
Oberlin College has finished checking its collection of Native American human remains and related items, linking them to specific tribes. Starting February 12, 2026, these remains and objects can be returned to the tribes. This is a respectful step to honor Native American heritage, with no costs mentioned for the public.
Next: 2026-00466, Notice of Intended Repatriation: Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park, CA
Sonoma State University plans to return over 3,100 cultural items, including sacred objects and unassociated funerary objects, to Native American tribes connected to the items. This repatriation can start on or after February 12, 2026, and involves items collected from Sonoma County, California. The university is leading this effort to respect and honor the cultural heritage of the tribes involved.