Birmingham Art Museum Preps Native Human Remains for Tribal Return
Published Date: 9/9/2026
Notice
Summary
The Birmingham Museum of Art has finished checking its collection and found human remains linked to Native American tribes. These remains can be returned to the tribes starting October 9, 2026. This is part of a respectful effort to honor Native American heritage, with no costs mentioned for the process.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Repatriation available starting October 9, 2026
If you are a member of one of the tribes identified or a lineal descendant, the Birmingham Museum of Art says the human remains may be repatriated on or after October 9, 2026. Written requests must be sent to Dr. Anne Forschler-Tarrasch at the Birmingham Museum of Art (2000 Rev. Abraham Woods, Jr. Blvd., Birmingham, AL 35203) or by email to [email protected].
Who may request repatriation
The notice says any one or more of the Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations named in the notice may request repatriation. It also allows any lineal descendant or Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization not named to request repatriation if they show, by a preponderance of the evidence, that they are lineal descendants or have cultural affiliation.
Museum determined tribal cultural affiliation
The Birmingham Museum of Art determined the human remains represent at least one Native American individual and identified cultural affiliation to the following groups, among others: Absentee-Shawnee Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma; Alabama Coushatta Tribe of Texas; Alabama-Quassarte Tribal Town; Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana; Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians; Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma; Jena Band of Choctaw Indians; Kialegee Tribal Town; Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians; Poarch Band of Creek Indians; Seminole Tribe of Florida; The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma; The Seminole Nation of Oklahoma; Thlopthlocco Tribal Town; and the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma.
Competing and joint repatriation request rules
If the Birmingham Museum of Art receives competing requests for repatriation, the museum must decide which requestor is most appropriate before returning the remains. Requests made jointly by multiple requestors are treated as a single request and therefore are not considered competing requests.
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.
2026-18306, Official Trail Marker for Butterfield Overland National Historic Trail
This notice issues the official trail marker insignia for the Butterfield Overland National Historic Trail in the National Trails System. The original graphic image for Butterfield Overland National Historic Trail was developed in 2026 with the completion of the Butterfield Overland National Historic Trail Comprehensive Plan. The National Park Service and related agencies have officially adopted and use this insignia to help mark all designated alignments of the Butterfield Overland National Historic Trail.
2026-17902, Bicycle Use in Park Areas
The National Park Service (NPS) proposes to modify the procedural requirements in existing NPS regulations for the designation of roads and trails for bicycle use within park areas. The changes would align NPS regulations with applicable Federal law and policy, remove unnecessary requirements, and ensure public involvement when needed. The changes in this rule would allow the NPS to manage its resources and allocate taxpayer funds more efficiently and streamline the approval of new and expanded opportunities for use and enjoyment of park areas by the American public.
2026-17186, Notice of Intended Repatriation: American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY
The American Museum of Natural History plans to return a special ceramic smoking pipe with a human face to the Stockbridge Munsee Community, as it’s linked to their Mohican ancestors. This repatriation may happen on or after September 23, 2026, following Native American laws protecting cultural items. No money changes hands, but the museum is making sure history and respect go hand in hand!
2026-17198, Gulf Islands National Seashore; Personal Watercraft
The National Park Service revises special regulations governing the use of personal watercraft at Gulf Islands National Seashore. This rule reduces the distance of flat wake speed zones from certain shorelines and codifies existing closures at West Petit Bois Island and the Fort Pickens ferry pier.
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.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-18328, Notice of Intended Disposition: U.S. Department of Defense, Navy, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, Beaufort, SC
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.
Next: 2026-18330, Notice of Inventory Completion: Ball State University, Muncie, IN
Ball State University found Native American human remains in their collection, linked to tribes like the Absentee-Shawnee and Alabama-Coushatta. Starting October 9, 2026, these remains can be returned to the tribes. This is part of a respectful effort to honor Native American heritage with no costs involved.