The University of Michigan says it will comply with new federal regulations that affect "culturally unidentifiable" Native ancestors.

The school plans to consult tribes with historical ties to the area where the "unidentifiable" remains were exhumed. The new regulations allow institutions and tribes to reach an agreement to determine what to do with the remains..

The school's collection includes 354 remains, some of which have already been repatriated to tribes.

The regulations were published in the Federal Register on Monday. They go into effect on May 14.

Get the Story:
U-M to repatriate tribes' remains (The Detroit News 3/17)

Federal Register Notice:
Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act Regulations--Disposition of Culturally Unidentifiable Human Remains; Final Rule (March 15, 2010)

Related Stories:
NPS finalizes NAGPRA rule on 'unidentifiable' ancestors (3/16)