The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act review committee voted 6-0 to recommend the return of 180 ancestors to the Onondaga Nation of New York.

The remains were removed from a burial site 41 years ago. They are currently held by the New York State Museum.

The tribe wanted to rebury the ancestors but the museum claimed they were too old to be culturally affiliated with the Onondaga. The NAGPRA review committee heard the dispute and said the remains should be returned.

"It's about time this museum starts abiding by the law," Chief Irving Powless told The Albany Times-Union. "I don't know why they wanted to keep the remains."

The NAGPRA review committee's recommendations are not binding.

Get the Story:
Remains likely to return to Onondaga (The Syracuse Post-Standard 10/16)
Tribe gains in burial dispute (The Albany Times-Union 10/16)