Federal notices clear 11 Sitka ancestors for return

Two federal notices published one week apart make at least 11 ancestors and 11 funerary objects eligible for return to the Sitka Tribe of Alaska.

A Sept. 9 notice for Princeton University covers the remains of at least one person and two funerary objects, a snuff box and drum. Repatriation may occur on or after Oct. 9. A Sept. 16 notice for the Tongass National Forest covers at least 10 people and nine funerary objects. Repatriation may occur on or after Oct. 16.

Both notices were filed under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act after the institutions completed inventories and determined that the ancestors and objects are connected to the Sitka Tribe.

Princeton's notice says John Green Brady acquired the ancestor while working as a Presbyterian missionary and founder of the Sitka Industrial and Training School, then gave the remains to Sheldon Jackson. The Tongass notice traces a mortuary pole to John Brady's Sitka homestead and says the remains and objects likely came from the village site at Krugloi Point. The notices do not establish whether the two references identify the same man.

The October dates are the earliest the returns may occur, not deadlines. Competing claimants may submit requests to Princeton or the Tongass National Forest before transfer.

Neither notice includes a statement from the Sitka Tribe or explains who will arrange and pay for transportation, ceremony or final disposition.