Michigan University Clears Path for Ancestral Returns
Published Date: 6/4/2026
Notice
Summary
The University of Michigan has finished checking its collection and found Native American ancestral remains from a historic site in Michigan. These remains can be returned to the affiliated tribes starting July 6, 2026. This means the university is ready to give back these important cultural items, following the law, with no costs or risks involved.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Repatriation available July 6, 2026
If you are a member of one of the tribes named in this notice, the University of Michigan has identified ancestral human remains of at least one Native American individual and those remains may be returned starting on July 6, 2026. The remains were removed in 1930 from the Flat River site (20KT43) in Kent County, Michigan.
Who can request repatriation
The notice says repatriation requests may be submitted by any one or more of the Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations listed, and non-federally recognized Burt Lake Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians or Grand River Bands of Ottawa Indians if they join a request with a listed tribe. It also allows any lineal descendant or tribe/organization not listed to request repatriation if they show, by a preponderance of the evidence, cultural affiliation; repatriation may occur on or after July 6, 2026.
University resolves competing claims
If more than one group requests the ancestral remains, the University of Michigan must decide which requestor is most appropriate before repatriation. The notice also states that joint requests are treated as a single request.
No hazardous treatment found
The University of Michigan reports it has no record or knowledge that the ancestral remains were treated with pesticides, preservatives, or other substances that would pose a potential hazard to the collection or to people handling it. This indicates handlers and requestors are not being warned of known chemical hazards for this item.
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