Chattahoochee Forest Returns Ancient Native Burial Items to Tribes
Published Date: 3/19/2026
Notice
Summary
The Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest in Georgia has finished checking and identifying ancient human remains and burial items linked to Native American tribes. Starting April 20, 2026, these remains and objects can be returned to the tribes for proper care. This important step respects Native heritage and follows federal law, with no costs to the public.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Repatriation Allowed Starting April 20, 2026
The Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest says the human remains and burial objects in this notice can be returned to tribes or claimants on or after April 20, 2026. The inventory covers human remains from three individuals and a total of 735 associated funerary objects.
Cultural Affiliation with Specific Tribes
The Forest determined the remains and funerary objects are culturally affiliated with the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana; Kialegee Tribal Town; Poarch Band of Creek Indians; Seminole Tribe of Florida; The Muscogee (Creek) Nation; The Seminole Nation of Oklahoma; and the Thlopthlocco Tribal Town. This determination covers the three individuals and 735 associated funerary objects listed in the notice.
Who May Request Repatriation
Repatriation requests may be submitted by any one or more of the named Indian Tribes in the notice. A lineal descendant, or an Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization not named, may also request repatriation if they show by a preponderance of the evidence that they are a lineal descendant or culturally affiliated.
Competing and Joint Repatriation Requests
If competing requests for repatriation are received, the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest must decide which requestor is most appropriate before returning the remains and objects. Requests to repatriate jointly are treated as a single request and are not considered competing.
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Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-05371, Notice of Inventory Completion: University of California, Davis, Davis, CA
UC Davis has finished checking and listing Native American human remains and related burial items found at the Capay Valley Site. These remains and objects are linked to local tribes, and they can be returned starting April 20, 2026. If you want to request the return, contact UC Davis soon—this is a big step in respecting Native heritage with no cost involved.
Next: 2026-05373, Notice of Intended Disposition: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, Butte, MT
The Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest in Montana plans to return human remains and two funerary objects found in 2014 to the Native American tribes connected to them. If no one claims them by March 19, 2027, these items will be considered unclaimed. This process starts on April 20, 2026, and is part of respecting Native American heritage and laws.