New Mexico Remains to Be Returned to Tribes
Published Date: 7/2/2026
Notice
Summary
The Defense Health Agency’s National Museum of Health and Medicine has finished checking its collection and found two Native American human remains from New Mexico. These remains can be returned to the affiliated tribes starting August 3, 2026. If you’re part of a tribe or Native Hawaiian group, you can request repatriation by contacting the museum—no money changes hands, just respect and care for history.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Museum identified two Native American remains
The National Museum of Health and Medicine identified human remains representing at least two Native American individuals removed from Indian Ruins No. 6 at the Upper San Francisco River, Catron County, New Mexico, in June 1885. The remains include one adult partial skeleton and one adult right femur; no associated funerary objects are present.
Cultural affiliation identified with two tribes
The museum determined a cultural affiliation between the human remains and the Pueblo of Acoma, New Mexico, and the Zuni Tribe of the Zuni Reservation, New Mexico. That affiliation is the basis for repatriation consultation and claims by those tribes.
Repatriation available starting August 3, 2026
Repatriation of the human remains described in this notice may occur on or after August 3, 2026. Tribes or eligible requestors can initiate repatriation actions beginning on that date.
Who may request repatriation
Requests for repatriation may be submitted by any one or more of the Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations identified in the notice, or by a lineal descendant or other tribe/organization that shows by a preponderance of the evidence it is culturally affiliated. Requests must be sent to the museum's authorized representative.
Competing and joint repatriation requests
If competing requests for repatriation are received, the National Museum of Health and Medicine must determine the most appropriate requestor before repatriation. Requests for joint repatriation are treated as a single request and are not considered competing requests.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile 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.
2026-16388, Powered Micromobility Devices
The National Park Service finalizes a management framework for the use of powered micromobility devices within the National Park System. The final rule defines powered micromobility devices separately from motor vehicles, traditional bicycles, electric bicycles, and human powered coasting devices, and creates rules for where and how they may be used in units of the National Park System. Examples of powered micromobility devices include electric scooters (e- scooters), hoverboards, and Segways.
2026-15406, First State National Historical Park; Bicycling
The National Park Service (NPS) proposes to issue special regulations for First State National Historical Park to allow for bicycle use on approximately 25 miles of trails within the Brandywine Valley unit of the park.
2026-14720, Notice of Inventory Completion: American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY
The American Museum of Natural History has finished checking 55 ancient items linked to Native American tribes near Croton Point, New York. Starting August 21, 2026, these items can be officially returned to the tribes that they belong to. This is a big step in respecting Native cultures and making sure their history is honored properly.
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.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-13320, Notice of Inventory Completion: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mobile District, Mobile, AL, and the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the University of Alabama have finished checking and listing Native American human remains and artifacts found at the Smith's Ferry site in Alabama. These items, linked to Native tribes, are ready to be returned starting August 3, 2026. This process respects Native heritage and involves no costs or deadlines beyond the repatriation date.
Next: 2026-13322, Notice of Inventory Completion: U.S. Department of Defense, Defense Health Agency, National Museum of Health and Medicine, Silver Spring, MD
The National Museum of Health and Medicine has finished checking its collection and found human remains linked to the Blackfeet Tribe near Montana. Starting July 31, 2026, these remains can be returned to the tribe. This is part of a respectful effort to give back important cultural items without any cost or delay.