Blackfeet Remains Scheduled for Return from Museum
Published Date: 7/2/2026
Notice
Summary
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.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Blackfeet Remains Eligible for Repatriation
Human remains identified as affiliated with the Blackfeet Tribe (removed near Browning, Montana in 1915) may be returned to the Tribe on or after July 31, 2026. The National Museum of Health and Medicine has determined cultural affiliation and the museum will repatriate the remains without delay once an appropriate requestor is identified.
Who Can Request Repatriation
Repatriation requests may be submitted to the museum by any of the Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations identified in the notice, or by any lineal descendant or unlisted tribe/organization that shows by a preponderance of the evidence a cultural affiliation. Competing requests will be resolved by the National Museum of Health and Medicine, and joint repatriation requests are treated as a single request; requests may be submitted on or after July 31, 2026 to the curator at 2500 Linden Lane, Silver Spring, MD 20910 or the email provided in the notice.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this federal register document and every other regulation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions 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.
2026-13255 — Agency Information Collection Activities; Office of Public Health Disease Reporting and Surveillance Forms
The National Park Service wants to keep using its health and disease reporting forms to track illnesses in parks. They’re asking for public feedback by August 31, 2026, to make sure the forms aren’t too much work and still get the job done. This helps keep visitors safe without wasting time or money on paperwork.
2026-12391 — Notice of Intended Repatriation: American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY
The American Museum of Natural History plans to return a special wooden mask to the Oneida Tribe, honoring their cultural heritage. This mask, used in maternity ceremonies, will be repatriated starting July 22, 2026. This respectful handover helps preserve Native traditions and involves careful handling due to past pesticide use on museum items.
2026-12380 — Notice of Intended Repatriation: Wesleyan University, Archaeology & Anthropology Collections, Middletown, CT
Wesleyan University plans to return 13 sacred Native Hawaiian cultural items to the rightful tribes starting July 22, 2026. These special objects, like decorated gourds and stone tools, were once traded between museums but now will go back home. This repatriation respects Native traditions and doesn’t involve any money changes, just honoring heritage.
2026-11850 — Agency Information Collection Activities; National Park Service Concessions Forms
The National Park Service is updating its forms for businesses that run services inside parks, like gift shops and food stands. These changes make it easier for companies to apply and keep things running smoothly, with no extra costs or delays expected. If you work with park concessions, keep an eye out for new form rules coming soon!
2026-11700 — Notice of Inventory Completion: American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY
The American Museum of Natural History has finished checking its collection and found human remains and a bone tool linked to Native American tribes. Starting July 13, 2026, these items can be returned to the tribes that they belong to. If you want to request the return, you can contact the museum directly—just a heads-up, some items might need careful handling due to past pesticide use.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-13321 — Notice of Inventory Completion: U.S. Department of Defense, Defense Health Agency, National Museum of Health and Medicine, Silver Spring, MD
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.
Next: 2026-13323 — Notice of Inventory Completion: U.S. Department of Defense, Defense Health Agency, National Museum of Health and Medicine, Silver Spring, MD
The Defense Health Agency’s National Museum of Health and Medicine has finished checking its collection and found Native American human remains that belong to certain tribes. Starting July 31, 2026, these remains can be returned to the right groups. This is part of a respectful effort to honor Native American heritage, with no costs or delays expected.