Michigan State Prepares to Return Two Ancient Tribal Tools
Published Date: 10/16/2026
Notice
Summary
Michigan State University has finished checking two ancient tools linked to Native American tribes and is ready to return them starting November 16, 2026. These items, a flint chisel and tool, were found at the Goodall Mounds and belong to the Absentee-Shawnee Tribe and others. If you want to request these objects, contact the university soon—no money changes hands, just respect and care.
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Repatriation available for two Goodall Mounds objects
If you are one of the listed Indian Tribes or a lineal descendant, you can request the return of two associated funerary objects—a flint chisel and a flint tool removed from the Goodall Mounds and donated to Michigan State University in 1961—starting on November 16, 2026. Written requests must be sent to Judith Stoddart, Michigan State University, 287 Delta Court, East Lansing, MI 48824, or emailed to [email protected]. Michigan State University identified cultural affiliation with the Absentee-Shawnee Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma; Citizen Potawatomi Nation (Oklahoma); Forest County Potawatomi Community (Wisconsin); Kaw Nation (Oklahoma); Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas; Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi (previously listed as Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians of Michigan); Miami Tribe of Oklahoma; Minnesota Chippewa Tribe (Mille Lacs Band); Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi (Michigan); Omaha Tribe of Nebraska; Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians (Michigan and Indiana); Ponca Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma; Ponca Tribe of Nebraska; Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation; Seneca Nation of Indians; Shawnee Tribe; and the Tonawanda Band of Seneca.
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