University of Michigan to Repatriate Remains of 10 Native Americans

Seminole, Florida, United States - The University of Michigan’s Museum of Anthropological Archaeology is on a path toward healing and reconciliation as it prepares to return the remains of ten Native American individuals along with eight funerary items to the Seminole Tribe of Florida, the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma, and the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians. This significant repatriation process will kick off on July 17, following an inventory filed with the federal government in June. The remains in question were excavated from burial sites in Florida between 1931 and 1963. The artifacts being returned include spiral shells, earthenware sherds, and animal bone fragments, all holding cultural significance.

Notably, among the remains identified are two males and eight individuals whose sex is undetermined, with several individuals being over 30 years old, and one aged between 40 and 55 at the time of death. It’s a compelling move that speaks to the long-overdue recognition of Native American histories and cultures.

Indigenous Rights and Federal Mandates

This repatriation is rooted in the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), enacted in 1990, which mandates the respectful return of Native American human remains and cultural items to their respective tribes. The law emphasizes that remains of any ancestry must be treated with dignity and respect. As NPS outlines, the aim of NAGPRA is to foster dialogue between museums and Indian tribes while addressing the complexities involved in the repatriation process.

NAGPRA works on the principle that artifacts and remains removed from federal or tribal lands are rightfully owned by lineal descendants, Indian tribes, and Native Hawaiian organizations. This legal framework supports the repatriation process but does require tribes to formally request the return of their cultural heritage in writing.

The Road to Repatriation

As Detroit News reports, the University of Michigan museum has the 25th largest collection of unrepatriated Native American remains in the country. With over half of its remains and 22% of its funerary objects now available for repatriation, the museum acknowledges the importance of reshaping relationships with Native American communities.

However, the repatriation process is not without its challenges. On average, it can take about 18 months to two years to complete, a duration that can be extended due to limited staff resources on both sides—tribes and museums alike. The last year saw the Seminole Tribe of Florida and the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma participate in a large-scale repatriation from the University of Alabama Museums, which involved over 10,000 human remains.

Efforts and Challenges Ahead

As noted by the Department of the Interior, compliance with NAGPRA has been encouraging but far from complete. Less than half of Native American ancestral remains have been repatriated since the act became law, with over 117,576 individuals still held in various collections and 94% lacking any cultural affiliation.

Updating regulations and improving the repatriation process is crucial. The Department has received numerous requests for changes to NAGPRA since 2010, reflecting an ongoing dialogue about how best to balance respect for cultural customs with the practical realities of repatriation. Upcoming proposed revisions are set to streamline the process further, and the effort continues to highlight the vital importance of honoring indigenous legacies.

The upcoming repatriation marks an important step towards acknowledging the historical injustices faced by Native American tribes and lays the groundwork for a renewed relationship between educational institutions and indigenous communities. As this journey unfolds, it serves as a reminder that there’s always something to be said for respecting our shared past—every piece returned is a profound act of healing.