Alabama Museums Return 69 Items to Choctaw and Coushatta
Published Date: 6/22/2026
Notice
Summary
The University of Alabama Museums plans to return 69 lots of Native American cultural items, like tools and pottery, to the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas and the Jena Band of Choctaw Indians. These items were dug up back in 1940 from the Moundville site and are connected to Native ancestors. The repatriation can start on or after July 22, 2026, with no costs mentioned for the tribes.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
University to Return 69 Native Items
The University of Alabama Museums intends to return 69 lots of Native American cultural items (ground stone, ceramics, bone tools, points, shell, and similar objects) that were excavated in 1940 from the Moundville site. The repatriation was requested with letters of support from the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas and the Jena Band of Choctaw Indians, and the items are also identified as culturally affiliated with listed Indian Tribes such as The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma and The Muscogee (Creek) Nation.
Who Can Request and How Repatriation Is Resolved
Any lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization may submit a written request for repatriation by showing, by a preponderance of the evidence, that they are a lineal descendant or are culturally affiliated. Repatriation may occur on or after July 22, 2026; if competing requests are received the University of Alabama Museums must determine the most appropriate requestor and will treat joint requests as a single request.
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