Bureau Plans Return of 28 Sacred Native Items from 1977 Digs
Published Date: 5/12/2026
Notice
Summary
The Bureau of Indian Affairs and Arizona State University plan to return 28 cultural items, including sacred objects and funerary items, to Native American tribes connected to these artifacts. These items were found in Arizona during digs in 1977 and will be repatriated starting June 11, 2026. This respectful return honors Native traditions and involves no cost to the public.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
28 Cultural Items to Be Repatriated
The Bureau of Indian Affairs and Arizona State University intend to return 28 cultural items — 6 lots of unassociated funerary objects and 22 sacred objects — that were removed from six Gila Farms sites in Pinal County, Arizona during archaeological work in 1977. The items have a stated cultural affiliation with the Ak-Chin Indian Community; Gila River Indian Community; Hopi Tribe; Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community; Tohono O'odham Nation; and the Zuni Tribe. Repatriation may occur on or after June 11, 2026.
Who Can Request Repatriation
Any lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization (including those not named in this notice) may submit a written request for repatriation if they show by a preponderance of the evidence that they are a lineal descendant or culturally affiliated. Requests must be sent to the Bureau of Indian Affairs authorized representative (Tamara Billie) at 1001 Indian School Road NW, Mailbox 44, Albuquerque, NM 87104 or the email provided; repatriation may occur on or after June 11, 2026. If competing requests are received, the BIA will determine the most appropriate requestor; joint requests are treated as a single request.
Repatriation Involves No Public Cost
The notice states that the repatriation honors Native traditions and involves no cost to the public. The return is being handled under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (25 U.S.C. 3004) and its implementing regulations.
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