Milwaukee University Prepares Native American Cultural Items for Return
Published Date: 10/22/2026
Notice
Summary
The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee plans to return a collection of Native American cultural items, like bones, pottery, and tools, to the rightful tribes starting November 23, 2026. These items were found in Illinois and date back hundreds of years. This repatriation respects Native American traditions and helps heal cultural connections without any cost impact.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
One lot of funerary items to be repatriated
One lot of unassociated funerary objects (faunal bone, shell, lithics, pottery, ochre, sediment samples, and fossils) from the Fisher site (11WI0005), Will County, Illinois, dating to about A.D. 800–1400 and the late 17th century and removed circa 1946–1950, is intended for repatriation. The University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee may carry out the repatriation on or after November 23, 2026.
Ho‑Chunk Nation identified as affiliated
The University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee determined there is a connection between the cultural items and the Ho‑Chunk Nation of Wisconsin. That identification makes the Ho‑Chunk Nation a primary culturally affiliated party for these items.
Who may request repatriation and how
Any lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization not named in the notice may submit a written request for these items if they show by a preponderance of the evidence they are culturally affiliated. Competing requests will be resolved by the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, and joint requests are treated as a single request; repatriation may occur on or after November 23, 2026.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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