Kansas Historical Society Lists Native Remains for Tribal Return
Published Date: 9/30/2026
Notice
Summary
The Kansas State Historical Society has finished checking and listing Native American human remains and related items from several Kansas counties. These remains and objects are linked to specific tribes and can be returned starting October 30, 2026. If you want to request repatriation, contact the Society soon—this is a big step in respecting Native heritage with no cost involved.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Native remains and 5,716 objects eligible for return
The Kansas State Historical Society identified human remains representing four Native American individuals and 5,716 associated funerary objects from Lyon, Barton, and Rice Counties, Kansas. KSHS determined these materials are affiliated with the Kaw Nation, Oklahoma and the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes (Wichita, Keechi, Waco, & Tawakonie), Oklahoma. These remains and objects may be repatriated to the affiliated tribes on or after October 30, 2026.
Who can request repatriation and how
The notice allows the named Indian Tribes and any lineal descendant or other Indian Tribe that shows cultural affiliation by a preponderance of the evidence to submit a written repatriation request. Requests must be sent to Dr. Nicole Klarmann at the Kansas State Historical Society (6425 SW 6th Avenue, Topeka, KS 66615-1099; email [email protected]) and KSHS will resolve competing requests; joint requests count as a single request. Repatriation may occur on or after October 30, 2026.
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Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-20001, Notice of Inventory Completion: Kansas State Historical Society, Topeka, KS
The Kansas State Historical Society has finished checking some old human remains and found they belong to Native American tribes. Starting October 30, 2026, these remains can be returned to the tribes connected to them. This process helps honor Native American heritage and involves no costs or hazards.
Next: 2026-20003, Notice of Intended Disposition: U.S. Department of the Army, Redstone Arsenal, Redstone Arsenal, AL
The U.S. Army at Redstone Arsenal found Native American human remains from Madison County, Alabama, and plans to return them to the Cherokee, Chickasaw, and Muscogee Nations. Tribes have until September 30, 2027, to claim the remains, or they’ll be considered unclaimed. This respectful process starts after October 30, 2026, ensuring these important cultural items find their rightful home.