North Dakota Hands Back 53K Native Ancestral Treasures
Published Date: 8/24/2026
Notice
Summary
The University of North Dakota and the State Historical Society of North Dakota have finished checking and listing human remains and over 53,000 related items found in Morton County. These remains and objects are linked to Native American tribes, and they can be returned starting September 23, 2026. This means tribes can soon reclaim their ancestors’ belongings, with no costs or risks involved.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Repatriation to Three Affiliated Tribes
The University of North Dakota and the State Historical Society of North Dakota determined that human remains of two Native American individuals and 53,411 associated funerary objects are culturally affiliated with the Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation, North Dakota. These remains and objects may be repatriated to the affiliated Tribe on or after September 23, 2026.
Who Can Request Repatriation
Repatriation requests may be submitted by any of the Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations identified in the notice, or by any lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization not identified that shows by a preponderance of the evidence it is a lineal descendant or culturally affiliated. Requests must be sent to Dr. Crystal Alberts at the University of North Dakota and repatriation may occur on or after September 23, 2026.
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