The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service in the Tonto National Forest is planning to repatriate Native American human remains and cultural items as part of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). The items come from archaeological sites mostly in Gila County, Arizona, and will be returned to the appropriate Native American tribes, including the Ak-Chin Indian Community and the Hopi Tribe. Written claims for these items must be submitted by March 17, 2026, and if no claims are received, the items will remain unclaimed. The repatriation process is set to begin on April 16, 2025.
Simple Explanation
The Forest Service plans to give back some special items and remains they found on Native American lands to the tribes they belong to. They have to follow certain rules to do this, and if nobody asks for these items by a certain time, they will stay with the Forest Service.