Sacramento State Preps Return of Native Remains and Artifacts
Published Date: 1/16/2026
Notice
Summary
California State University, Sacramento has finished checking and listing Native American human remains and special objects found in El Dorado County. These items belong to certain Native tribes and can be returned to them starting February 17, 2026. This process respects Native cultures and helps bring important artifacts back to their rightful communities.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Repatriation Allowed Starting Feb 17, 2026
You (as a listed Indian Tribe or a lineal descendant) may request the return of Native American human remains and associated funerary objects beginning on February 17, 2026. Eligible requestors include the named tribes in this notice and any other tribe or lineal descendant who shows cultural affiliation by a preponderance of the evidence.
Scope: 16 Individuals and 87,803 Objects
The inventory covers human remains for at least 16 individuals and a total of 87,803 associated funerary objects from multiple sites in western El Dorado County (site codes CA-ELD-31, CA-ELD-255, CA-ELD-426, CA-ELD-1993/H, and CA-ELD-1827). These items were excavated between the 1950s and 1990s and are held under specified accession numbers at California State University, Sacramento.
How Competing Repatriation Claims Are Handled
If more than one party requests repatriation, California State University, Sacramento must decide which requestor is most appropriate before returning the remains and objects. Requests submitted jointly are treated as a single request and not as competing requests.
Where to Send Repatriation Requests
Written requests for repatriation must be sent to Dr. Mark R. Wheeler, Senior Advisor to President Luke Wood, California State University, Sacramento, 6000 J Street, Sacramento, CA 95819, or by email at [email protected]. Repatriation requests may be submitted by any one or more of the named tribes or by lineal descendants or other tribes/organizations showing cultural affiliation.
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