Tennessee Agency Readies Remains for Tribal Return
Published Date: 3/18/2026
Notice
Summary
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation has finished checking human remains found near the Tennessee River and confirmed they belong to Native American ancestors linked to local tribes. Starting April 17, 2026, these remains can be returned to the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas and other affiliated tribes. This important step respects Native American heritage and follows legal rules, with no costs mentioned.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
TDEC-DOA Finds Native American Affiliation
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, Division of Archaeology (TDEC-DOA) determined that human remains from site 40HR587 (Hardin County, Tennessee) are of Native American ancestry and are culturally affiliated with the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas; Cherokee Nation; Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians; Poarch Band of Creek Indians; The Chickasaw Nation; The Muscogee (Creek) Nation; Thlopthlocco Tribal Town; and the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma.
Repatriation Eligible Starting April 17, 2026
Repatriation of the remains may occur on or after April 17, 2026. Written requests must be sent to the TDEC-DOA contact listed in the notice, and may be submitted by any one or more of the named Indian Tribes or by a lineal descendant or other tribe/organization that proves cultural affiliation by a preponderance of the evidence; joint requests are treated as a single request, and if competing requests are received TDEC-DOA will decide the most appropriate requestor before repatriation.
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