Alaska Office Completes Review of Burial Items
Published Date: 5/28/2026
Notice
Summary
The Bureau of Land Management in Alaska has finished checking and identifying Native American human remains and related burial items. These remains, linked to local tribes, are ready to be returned starting June 29, 2026. This means tribes can now request the return of these important cultural items, with no costs mentioned.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Ancestral Remains Identified for Return
At least 10 Native American individuals and 21 associated funerary objects held by the University of Pennsylvania Museum have been identified as culturally affiliated with the Native Village of Nanwalek (English Bay), Native Village of Port Graham, and the Seldovia Village Tribe. These human remains and objects are eligible for repatriation and may be returned on or after June 29, 2026.
Who May Request Repatriation
Written repatriation requests must be sent to the Bureau of Land Management contact listed in the notice and may be submitted by any one or more of the Indian Tribes named in the notice, or by any lineal descendant or Indian Tribe/Native Hawaiian organization that shows cultural affiliation by a preponderance of the evidence. If competing requests are received, the BLM will determine the most appropriate requestor; joint repatriation requests are treated as a single request.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this federal register document and every other regulation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-04606 — Alaska; Hunting and Trapping in National Preserves
The National Park Service wants to update hunting and trapping rules in Alaska’s national preserves to bring back long-standing practices that support state-authorized wildlife harvests and public access. These changes affect hunters, trappers, and anyone using Alaska park lands, aiming to balance conservation with local traditions. You’ve got until April 9, 2026, to share your thoughts—no new fees or costs are expected.
2026-14332 — National Register of Historic Places; Notification of Pending Nominations and Related Actions
The National Park Service is asking for your thoughts on historic places nominated before July 4, 2026, to be added to the National Register of Historic Places. If you care about preserving cool old buildings or sites, now’s your chance to comment by July 31, 2026. This process helps protect important places without costing you a dime, but your voice matters!
2026-14165 — Notice of Intended Repatriation: University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
The University of California, Berkeley plans to return some special Native American and Native Hawaiian cultural items, like sacred baskets and pottery, to the tribes they belong to. This repatriation will start on or after August 14, 2026, and helps honor the history and traditions of these communities. No money changes hands, but it’s a big step in respecting cultural heritage.
2026-13984 — National Register of Historic Places; Notification of Pending Nominations and Related Actions
The National Park Service is asking for your thoughts on historic places nominated before June 20, 2026, to be officially recognized. If you care about preserving cool old buildings or neighborhoods, now’s your chance to speak up by July 27, 2026. This process helps decide which spots get special protection, with no cost to the public but big benefits for history lovers everywhere!
2026-13255 — Agency Information Collection Activities; Office of Public Health Disease Reporting and Surveillance Forms
The National Park Service wants to keep using its health and disease reporting forms to track illnesses in parks. They’re asking for public feedback by August 31, 2026, to make sure the forms aren’t too much work and still get the job done. This helps keep visitors safe without wasting time or money on paperwork.
2026-12380 — Notice of Intended Repatriation: Wesleyan University, Archaeology & Anthropology Collections, Middletown, CT
Wesleyan University plans to return 13 sacred Native Hawaiian cultural items to the rightful tribes starting July 22, 2026. These special objects, like decorated gourds and stone tools, were once traded between museums but now will go back home. This repatriation respects Native traditions and doesn’t involve any money changes, just honoring heritage.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-10563 — Notice of Inventory Completion: U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, Alaska State Office, Anchorage, AK
The Bureau of Land Management in Alaska has finished checking human remains found in 1964 and confirmed they belong to Native American ancestors linked to the Native Village of Ouzinkie. Starting June 29, 2026, these remains can be officially returned to the tribe. This is a respectful step to honor Native heritage with no costs involved for the public.
Next: 2026-10565 — Notice of Intended Repatriation: U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, Alaska State Office, Anchorage, AK
The Bureau of Land Management in Alaska plans to return a special cultural item—a prehistoric artificial bone eye—to Native American tribes connected to it. This item, found in a 1932 archaeological dig, will be repatriated starting June 29, 2026. This respectful return honors Native traditions and involves no cost to the public.