New Forensic Methods May Help Alaska Museums Identify Ancestors

The Alaska State Museum in Juneau and Sheldon Jackson Museum in Sitka will host a virtual meeting on May 19, 2026, at 1 p.m. Alaska time to discuss new scientific methods for identifying ancestral remains and connecting them to descendant communities.

Dr. Petra Banks of the University of Alaska will present on the complexities of determining the medico-legal significance of skeletal remains, including determination of forensic or non-forensic. Her presentation will explore indicators that help identify different descendant communities and potential new methods to associate ancestors with their descendants.

The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act requires museums to return ancestral remains and cultural items to tribes. Genetic methods have helped address identification bottlenecks in this process. Forensic genetic genealogy uses genome sequencing and public genealogy databases to identify human remains by building family trees from distant relative matches, aiding cold cases and repatriation efforts.

The May 19 meeting is the second Open Office Hours NAGPRA quarterly meeting of 2026. The museums created these sessions to invite the public to ask questions and discuss concerns about NAGPRA or relevant cultural belongings. The meetings also provide information about how the state museums are complying with NAGPRA and offer a forum for museum professionals from around the state to share updates about the NAGPRA process at their institutions. Some meetings are themed around topics while others are open-ended.

Tribal citizens and museum administrators are encouraged to attend. The last portion of the May 19 meeting will include a question-and-answer session and an opportunity for people to bring up other subjects.

The Alaska State Museums recognize that not all will be able to attend the May 19 meeting and welcome any questions or concerns about the Open Office Hours NAGPRA meetings, NAGPRA, or NAGPRA compliance at any time. For questions, concerns or comments, contact Chief Curator Addison Field at [email protected] or call (907) 465-4866.

To access the May 19 virtual meeting at 1 p.m. Alaska time, visit the Microsoft Teams meeting at https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/265682160855524?p=wwutNu0DIiVWOdXkuC. The meeting ID is 265 682 160 855 524 and the passcode is C3kt79ED. Participants may also dial in by phone at (907) 202-7104 and input phone conference ID 692 818 588.