National forest plans to return ancestors to Oklahoma tribes

Monday, November 26, 2012  

The Ozark-St. Francis National Forests in Arkansas plans to repatriate ancestral remains to the Caddo Nation and the Osage Nation.

The remains of 28 ancestors and associated artifacts were removed in the 1960s, the 1970s and the 1980s. The Department of Agriculture determined they were "culturally affiliated" with the Caddo and Osage tribes.

"The Caddo have a long history of being dug up over the years by archaeologists and looters," Robert Cast, the tribe's historic preservation office, told The Arkansas-Democrat Gazette.

Notice of the determination was published in the Federal Register on November 16.

Get the Story:
American Indian bones closer to returning to earth (AP 11/15)

Federal Register Notice:
Notice of Inventory Completion: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Ozark-St. Francis National Forests, Russellville, AR (November 16, 2012)