Michigan State University Repatriates Native Funerary Objects
Published Date: 8/3/2026
Notice
Summary
In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), Michigan State University intends to repatriate certain cultural items that meet the definition of unassociated funerary objects and that have a cultural affiliation with the Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations in this notice.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Michigan State to Repatriate Potawatomi Items
Michigan State University intends to repatriate 141 unassociated funerary objects on or after September 2, 2026. The items (including 34 groundstone tools, 34 projectile points, 14 stone tools, 12 pipes/pipe bowls and others) come from sites in Berrien, Cass, St. Joseph, and Van Buren Counties and are identified as culturally affiliated with multiple Potawatomi groups: Citizen Potawatomi Nation; Forest County Potawatomi Community; Hannahville Indian Community; Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi; Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi; Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians; and Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation.
Who Can Request Repatriation and Process
Any lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization (including those not named in the notice) may submit a written request for repatriation to Judith Stoddart at Michigan State University (287 Delta Court, East Lansing, MI 48824; email [email protected]) by showing by a preponderance of the evidence that they are culturally affiliated. If competing requests are received Michigan State University will determine the most appropriate requestor; joint requests are treated as a single request. Repatriation may occur on or after September 2, 2026.
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Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-15712, Notice of Inventory Completion: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Louis District, St. Louis, MO
In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Louis District, has completed an inventory of human remains and associated funerary objects and has determined that there is a cultural affiliation between the human remains and associated funerary objects and Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations in this notice.
Next: 2026-15714, Notice of Intended Repatriation: Museum of Ventura County, Ventura, CA
In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the Museum of Ventura County intends to repatriate certain cultural items that meet the definition of objects of cultural patrimony and that have a cultural affiliation with the Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations in this notice.