Defense Museum Clears Native Remains for Repatriation
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 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.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
One Native American remain identified
The National Museum of Health and Medicine has identified the complete skeleton and scalp of one adult Native American female and determined cultural affiliation with a set of Chippewa tribes (including the Bad River Band; Bay Mills; Chippewa Cree; Grand Traverse; Keweenaw Bay; Lac Courte Oreilles; Lac du Flambeau; Lac Vieux Desert; Minnesota Chippewa Tribe (six component reservations); Red Cliff; Red Lake; Saginaw Chippewa; Sault Ste. Marie Tribe; Sokaogon; St. Croix; and Turtle Mountain). The museum may repatriate (return) these human remains on or after July 31, 2026.
Who may request repatriation and how
Written requests for repatriation must be sent to Mr. Brian F. Spatola, Curator, National Museum of Health and Medicine (address: U.S. Army Garrison Forest Glen, 2500 Linden Lane, Silver Spring, MD 20910; email: [email protected]). Requests may be made by any one or more of the tribes named in the notice, or by a lineal descendant or tribe not named that shows cultural affiliation by a preponderance of the evidence. If competing requests are received, the museum will determine the most appropriate requestor; joint repatriation requests are treated as a single request.
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: 2026-13322, 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.
Next: 2026-13324, 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 Native American human remains linked to the Inupiat Community of the Arctic Slope. These remains, taken from Point Hope, Alaska, can be returned starting July 31, 2026. This means the museum is ready to give back these important cultural items to the right community, with no costs or delays expected.