Federal Register #2026-09401

Notice of Inventory Completion and Repatriation of Native American Ancestral Remains by University of Michigan

This notice concerns the completion of an inventory and the repatriation process for Native American ancestral remains by the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, under the oversight of the National Park Service (Department of the Interior): - Government buyer: - University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, with administrative oversight by the National Park Service (Interior Department) - No OEMs or commercial vendors are involved; this is not a procurement action - No products or services are being requested or purchased - Key details: - The University of Michigan has completed an inventory of Native American ancestral remains in its Museum of Natural History collections - The remains are from an unknown location in the United States and have no associated funerary objects - Cultural affiliation has been determined with multiple Michigan-based Indian Tribes - The notice invites written requests for repatriation from affiliated tribes or lineal descendants - The process for handling competing or joint requests is outlined - This action is in compliance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) - Unique requirements: - Compliance with federal law regarding the repatriation of Native American human remains - Coordination with multiple federally recognized tribes - No commercial procurement or contracting is involved

Description

The University of Michigan has completed an inventory of human remains in accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). The inventory identified ancestral remains with a cultural affiliation to various Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations. The notice details the repatriation process and invites written requests for repatriation from affiliated tribes or lineal descendants. Repatriation may occur on or after June 11, 2026.

View original listing