Petersburg Battlefield preps Native funerary objects return
Published Date: 8/13/2026
Notice
Summary
In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Petersburg National Battlefield intends to carry out the disposition of associated funerary objects removed from Federal or Tribal lands to the lineal descendants, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization with priority for disposition in this notice.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Priority return to listed tribes
Petersburg National Battlefield intends to return four white marble grave markers (associated funerary objects) removed from Poplar Grove National Cemetery to lineal descendants or the Indian Tribes/Native organizations that have priority. The notice names the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians; Hannahville Indian Community; Little River Band of Ottawa Indians; Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians; Pokagon Band of Potawatomi (for John Kennewanche) and the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin; Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa; and the Stockbridge Munsee Community (for Gazick Maska/Mosca, Nippie Peaches, and Joseph Scott). The markers have been stored at Petersburg National Battlefield since 2017.
Claims deadline and unclaimed status
Any lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization may submit a written claim for these objects to Andrea DeKoter at Petersburg National Battlefield; claims may be submitted by those named in the notice or by others who can show priority. Disposition may occur on or after September 14, 2026, and if no claim is received by August 13, 2027 the associated funerary objects will become unclaimed associated funerary objects.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-16490, Notice of Intended Disposition: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Petersburg National Battlefield, Petersburg, VA
In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Petersburg National Battlefield intends to carry out the disposition of associated funerary objects removed from Federal or Tribal lands to the lineal descendants, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization with priority for disposition in this notice.
Next: 2026-16492, Notice of Inventory Completion: University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
The University of Alabama at Birmingham has finished checking and listing ancient Native American human remains and their belongings found near the Cahaba River in Alabama. These remains and items, linked to local tribes, can be returned starting September 14, 2026. If you want to request the return, contact UAB’s Anthropology Department soon!