Marines at Parris Island to Repatriate 18 Dug-Up Native Ancestors
Published Date: 9/9/2026
Notice
Summary
The Navy’s Marine Corps Recruit Depot at Parris Island found human remains from up to 18 Native American individuals during past digs. They plan to return these remains to the right tribes or descendants starting October 9, 2026. If no one claims them by September 9, 2027, the remains will be considered unclaimed.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
Return of Up to 18 Native Remains
If you are a lineal descendant or a member of the listed tribes, the Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island intends to return human remains representing up to 18 Native American individuals to lineal descendants or the tribes named in the notice, beginning October 9, 2026. The tribes given priority are: Absentee-Shawnee Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma; Catawba Indian Nation; Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma; Kialegee Tribal Town; Seminole Tribe of Florida; Shawnee Tribe; The Muscogee (Creek) Nation; Thlopthlocco Tribal Town; and the Tuscarora Nation.
Claim Deadline and Unclaimed Status
If no written claim for disposition is received by September 9, 2027, the human remains described in this notice will be declared unclaimed human remains. Disposition may occur on or after October 9, 2026, but remains become unclaimed after the September 9, 2027 deadline.
Competing and Joint Claim Rules
If multiple parties submit competing claims for the remains, the Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island must determine the most appropriate claimant before disposition. Claims filed jointly are treated as a single claim rather than competing claims.
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Department and Agencies
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