Indiana U. Prepares to Repatriate Kentucky Native Remains
Published Date: 4/23/2026
Notice
Summary
Indiana University has finished checking and listing Native American human remains and related items from Kentucky. These remains and objects are linked to specific tribes and can be returned starting May 26, 2026. If you want to request repatriation, contact the university soon—no money changes hands, just respect and care.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Repatriation Available Starting May 26, 2026
Indiana University says the identified Native American human remains and associated funerary objects may be returned on or after May 26, 2026. This notice applies to human remains representing at least 17 individuals and 13 associated funerary objects from sites in Kentucky.
Who Can Request Repatriation
Repatriation requests may be made by any one or more of the Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations listed in the notice (Absentee-Shawnee Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma; Cherokee Nation; Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians; Miami Tribe of Oklahoma; Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma; Quapaw Nation; Shawnee Tribe; The Osage Nation; United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma). Also eligible to request are any lineal descendant or Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization not listed that can show by a preponderance of the evidence that they are lineal descendants or culturally affiliated.
Inventory: 17 Individuals and 13 Objects
Indiana University identified human remains representing at least 17 individuals and 13 associated funerary objects from various Kentucky sites. Specific items and provenances listed include a lot of beads (Graves County), multiple lots from a site called 'Rockshelter' (Russell and Christian Counties), items from Nugent Farm (Henderson County), donations from the Plank Collection, and other donated collections.
How To Request and Competing Claims Rule
Written requests for repatriation must be sent to Dr. Jayne-Leigh Thomas, Indiana University, Office of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, Student Building 318, 701 E. Kirkwood Avenue, Bloomington, IN 47405, or to the email provided in the notice. If competing requests are received, Indiana University must determine the most appropriate requestor before repatriation; joint repatriation requests are treated as a single request.
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