Webb Museum Completes Inventory for Tribal Repatriation
Published Date: 6/11/2026
Notice
Summary
The William S. Webb Museum of Anthropology at the University of Kentucky has finished checking its collection of Native American human remains and related items. They found a connection to certain tribes and are ready to return these remains and objects starting July 13, 2026. This means tribes can now ask to have their ancestors and belongings sent back, with no costs mentioned.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Inventory Identifies 39 Remains, 112 Objects
The William S. Webb Museum completed an inventory and found human remains representing at least 39 Native American individuals and 112 associated funerary objects. The museum says these remains and objects are culturally affiliated with certain tribes and may be returned starting July 13, 2026.
Who Can Request Repatriation
The notice names the Absentee-Shawnee Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma; Cherokee Nation; Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians; Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma; Shawnee Tribe; and the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma as culturally affiliated. Written repatriation requests may be submitted by any one or more of those tribes, by lineal descendants, or by other tribes who show by a preponderance of the evidence that they are affiliated; repatriation may occur on or after July 13, 2026.
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