University of Maine Prepares Native American Remains for Tribal Return
Published Date: 3/2/2026
Notice
Summary
The University of Maine’s Anthropology Department has finished checking their collection of Native American human remains and related items found in Maine. They’ve identified who these remains belong to and are ready to return them to the right Native tribes starting April 1, 2026. This means important cultural treasures will soon go back home, with no cost to tribes, just respect and care.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Repatriation of 26 Native Remains
The University of Maine has identified human remains representing a minimum of 26 Native American individuals and 532 associated funerary objects and determined cultural affiliation with the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians; Mi'kmaq Nation; Passamaquoddy Tribe; and Penobscot Nation. Repatriation of these remains and objects may occur on or after April 1, 2026.
Who May Request Repatriation
The University of Maine will accept repatriation requests from any one or more of the Indian Tribes named in this notice and from any lineal descendant or Indian Tribe not named who shows, by a preponderance of the evidence, that they are a lineal descendant or have cultural affiliation. If competing requests are received, the University must determine the most appropriate requestor; joint requests are treated as a single request.
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