Kansas Historical Society Lists Native Burial Items for Return
Published Date: 5/12/2026
Notice
Summary
The Kansas State Historical Society has finished checking and listing Native American human remains and some old burial items found in Kansas. These remains are linked to specific tribes, and starting June 11, 2026, they can be returned to their rightful communities. This process helps honor Native American heritage and follows important laws protecting these sacred items.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Repatriation Eligible Starting June 11, 2026
The Kansas State Historical Society identified human remains representing 129 Native American individuals and 640 associated funerary objects that it connects to the Kaw Nation, Oklahoma. Those remains and objects may be returned to tribes or lineal descendants on or after June 11, 2026.
Who May Request Repatriation
Repatriation requests may be submitted by any one or more of the Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations identified in this notice, or by a lineal descendant or tribe/organization not listed that shows cultural affiliation by a preponderance of the evidence. If competing requests are received, the Kansas State Historical Society must determine the most appropriate requestor; joint requests are treated as a single request. Repatriation may occur on or after June 11, 2026.
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