Navy lists San Nicolas Island remains for tribal return
Published Date: 4/9/2026
Notice
Summary
The Navy has finished checking and listing human remains and special burial items found on San Nicolas Island, California. These remains belong to Native American tribes or Native Hawaiian groups, and they’re ready to be returned starting May 11, 2026. If you’re connected to these groups, you can ask for the items back by contacting the Navy soon.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Navy Identifies Native Remains and Objects
The Department of the Navy completed an inventory of human remains and funerary items from San Nicolas Island, California, identifying remains from at least 5 individuals and 363 associated funerary objects removed between 1905 and 1962. The Navy determined a cultural affiliation between these remains/objects and the La Jolla Band of Luiseno Indians; Pala Band of Mission Indians; Pauma Band of Luiseno Mission Indians of the Pauma & Yuima Reservation; Pechanga Band of Indians; Rincon Band of Luiseno Indians; Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Mission Indians; and the Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians.
Repatriation Available Starting May 11, 2026
Repatriation of the identified human remains and 363 funerary objects may occur on or after May 11, 2026. Requests for repatriation may be submitted by any one or more of the listed Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations, or by a lineal descendant or tribe/organization not listed that shows by a preponderance of the evidence a cultural affiliation; send written requests to John O'Connor, Ph.D., RPA, Cultural Resources Manager, Naval Base Ventura County, 311 Main Road, Building 632, Point Mugu, CA 93042, email [email protected].
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