ST. LOUIS – Native Americans whose ancestors’ remains were unearthed in Illinois could soon receive a proper reburial.
A new law would require human remains and sacred cultural objects unearthed in the past 200 years to be returned to the deceased’s families. It also allows Native Americans to rebury their loved ones in Illinois rather than in states the U.S. government forced them to relocate to.
Illinois says nearly 13,000 remains are eligible to be returned.