Phoenix Museum Ready to Return Sacred Remains to Tribes!
Published Date: 3/27/2026
Notice
Summary
The S'edav Va'aki Museum in Phoenix has finished checking its collection and found human remains and special burial items linked to Native American tribes. Starting April 27, 2026, these remains and items can be returned to the tribes connected to them. This is a respectful step to honor Native American heritage and history, with no costs mentioned.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Native Remains Available for Repatriation
The S'edav Va'aki Museum identified human remains of at least four individuals and seven associated funerary objects from archaeological sites in Maricopa County, Arizona. These remains and objects may be repatriated to affiliated tribes or eligible requestors on or after April 27, 2026; the museum lists Ak-Chin Indian Community, Gila River Indian Community, Hopi Tribe, Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, Tohono O'odham Nation, and the Zuni Tribe as culturally affiliated.
Who Can Request Repatriation
Any one or more of the tribes named in the notice may request repatriation, and any lineal descendant or tribe not named may request repatriation if they show by a preponderance of the evidence that they are affiliated. Requests may be submitted to the museum and repatriation may occur on or after April 27, 2026; if competing requests are received, the museum must decide the most appropriate requestor.
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