Federal Register #2026-12377

Notice of Inventory Completion for Native American Remains and Funerary Objects at Mississippi Department of Archives and History

This notice concerns the completion of an inventory of Native American human remains and funerary objects by the Mississippi Department of Archives and History (MDAH), in partnership with the National Park Service: - Government buyer: - Mississippi Department of Archives and History (MDAH) - Coordinating with the National Park Service, Department of the Interior - No OEMs or commercial vendors are involved - Products/services requested: - Not a procurement; no products or services are being purchased - Key details: - Inventory includes human remains (at least one individual) and five lots of funerary objects (coffin wood, nails, screws, buttons, copper alloy ring) - Items were removed from the University of Mississippi Medical Center site (22HI859, Asylum Hill) and transferred to MDAH - Cultural affiliation established with the Jena Band of Choctaw Indians, Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, and The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma - No hazardous substances are associated with the remains or objects - Notice outlines the process for repatriation requests from affiliated tribes or lineal descendants - No procurement activity, contract, or acquisition is taking place

Description

The Mississippi Department of Archives and History (MDAH) has completed an inventory of human remains and associated funerary objects in accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). The inventory includes human remains representing at least one individual and five lots of associated funerary objects removed from the University of Mississippi Medical Center site. MDAH has determined a cultural affiliation between these remains and objects and the Jena Band of Choctaw Indians, Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, and The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. Repatriation of these items may occur on or after July 22, 2026.

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