Oregon University to Return Native Remains to Tribes
Published Date: 5/28/2026
Notice
Summary
Oregon Health & Sciences University (OHSU) has finished checking its collection and found Native American human remains linked to local Tribes. Starting June 29, 2026, these remains can be returned to the Tribes for proper care. This is a respectful step to honor Native heritage, with no money involved but important cultural impact.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
OHSU Identified Four Native Remains
Oregon Health & Sciences University (OHSU) identified human remains representing at least four Native American individuals. OHSU determined a cultural affiliation between those remains and several Tribes including the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation; Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians of Oregon; Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon; Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation; Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon; Cowlitz Indian Tribe; Nez Perce Tribe; and the Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe.
Repatriation Allowed After June 29, 2026
The notice states repatriation of the human remains may occur on or after June 29, 2026. That date is the earliest OHSU may transfer the remains described in this notice to an authorized requestor.
Who Can Request Repatriation
Written requests for repatriation may be submitted by any one or more of the Tribes named in the notice or by any lineal descendant or Tribe not named who shows by a preponderance of the evidence that they are affiliated. If competing requests are received, OHSU must determine the most appropriate requestor before repatriation; joint repatriation requests are treated as a single request.
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Key Dates
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