Kansas Museum Identifies Shawnee and Wyandotte Remains
Published Date: 6/4/2026
Notice
Summary
The Kansas State Historical Society has finished checking some Native American human remains from southern Ohio and found they belong to the Shawnee Tribe and Wyandotte Nation. Starting July 6, 2026, these remains can be officially returned to the tribes. If you want to request repatriation, you need to contact the Society by then—no money changes hands, just respect and care.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Repatriation allowed to named tribes
The Kansas State Historical Society found that the human remains represent at least one Native American individual affiliated with the Shawnee Tribe and the Wyandotte Nation. Those remains may be returned to those tribes on or after July 6, 2026.
Who may request repatriation
Repatriation requests may be submitted by the Shawnee Tribe or the Wyandotte Nation named in the notice, by any lineal descendant, or by another Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization that shows cultural affiliation by a preponderance of the evidence. The notice explicitly allows tribes, lineal descendants, or other organizations proving affiliation to seek the remains.
How to submit a repatriation request
Written requests for repatriation must be sent to Dr. Nicole Klarmann at the Kansas State Historical Society, 6425 SW 6th Avenue, Topeka, KS 66615-1099, or by email to [email protected]. The notice restates that repatriation may occur on or after July 6, 2026.
How competing requests are resolved
If competing repatriation requests are received, the Kansas State Historical Society must determine the most appropriate requestor before repatriation. The notice also states that requests for joint repatriation are treated as a single request.
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