UCLA Museum Prepares to Return 62 Native American Remains to Tribes
Published Date: 5/5/2026
Notice
Summary
The Fowler Museum at UCLA has finished checking its collection and found 62 Native American human remains and 7 pottery pieces linked to tribes from Illinois. Starting June 4, 2026, these remains and objects can be returned to the rightful Native American groups. This important step respects cultural heritage and follows federal law, with no costs or hazards involved.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
62 Native American Remains Identified
The Fowler Museum at UCLA identified human remains representing at least 62 Native American individuals and seven associated ceramic sherds excavated from the Fisher Site in Will County, Illinois. The museum determined these remains and objects are culturally affiliated with a long list of tribes named in the notice.
Repatriation Effective June 4, 2026
The human remains and associated funerary objects may be repatriated to requestors on or after June 4, 2026. Repatriation actions cannot occur before that date according to this notice.
Who Can Request Repatriation
Repatriation requests may be submitted by any one or more of the Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations listed in the notice, or by a lineal descendant or other Indian Tribe/organization not listed that shows by a preponderance of the evidence a cultural affiliation. If competing requests are received, the Fowler Museum must determine the most appropriate requestor; joint requests count as a single request.
No Known Hazardous Exposure
The notice states there is no known exposure to hazardous substances for this collection of human remains and associated funerary objects. This indicates no identified health or contamination hazard associated with handling or transfer.
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