The Department of the Army's Office of Army Cemeteries (OAC) recently issued a formal correction in the Federal Register regarding its intention to disinter the remains of twelve Native American students from Carlisle Barracks Post Cemetery in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. This development, published on June 5, 2026, revises a prior notice from May 28, 2026, and is significant as it highlights the meticulous nature of the ongoing efforts to address a complex and sensitive historical chapter involving the Carlisle Indian Industrial School.
The Correction and its Specifics
The primary purpose of this latest notice is to correct an identifying detail for one of the twelve individuals slated for repatriation. The name of one student, previously listed as Susie Davis, is now accurately identified as Susie King. Susie King was a student from the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians. This adjustment ensures accuracy in the historical record and respects the identity of the individual and her tribal affiliation, an important aspect of repatriation efforts.
In addition to Susie King, the other eleven students whose remains are intended for disinterment include Mabel Stock, Edward Angalook, Lucy Spaulding, and Tummassak (Tomicock) from Alaska Native communities; Peter Howe, Richard Morgan, and Christine Redstone from the Fort Peck Tribes; Frances Bones from the Comanche Nation; Fannie Gibson from the Absentee Shawnee Tribe; Della Atkins from the Shoshone Paiute Tribes; and Margaret Davis from the Keewenaw Bay Indian Community. These students tragically died between 1879 and 1918 while attending the Carlisle Indian Industrial School.
Historical Context of Carlisle Indian Industrial School
The Carlisle Indian Industrial School, operational from 1879 to 1918, was the flagship institution in a network of federal boarding schools established with the stated aim of assimilating Native American children into mainstream American culture. This often involved forcibly removing children from their families and communities, suppressing their native languages and traditions, and immersing them in vocational training and English-language instruction. The school's motto, "Kill the Indian in him, and save the man," encapsulated its assimilationist philosophy.
The conditions at such schools were frequently harsh, leading to widespread illness and, in many cases, death. The cemetery at Carlisle Barracks serves as a solemn reminder of the profound human cost of these policies. For decades, Native American tribes and descendants have sought to reclaim the remains of their ancestors from these institutional cemeteries, a movement rooted in cultural and spiritual beliefs regarding proper burial and ancestral honor.
The Repatriation Process and Timeline
The disinterment and repatriation efforts are being undertaken by the Office of Army Cemeteries in direct response to requests from the families and Native American Tribes associated with these students. This process is a significant undertaking, involving careful coordination and adherence to both archaeological protocols and tribal customs. The Army's stated intention is to begin disinterment activities on September 1, 2026. Following disinterment, the remains will be transported and reinterred in private cemeteries as soon as practical, allowing for their return to ancestral lands or family plots.
Crucially, the notice also includes a mechanism for potential objections. Living relatives who may object to the disinterment of specific remains are instructed to provide written objections to MAJ Oluwaseun Adedeji by July 1, 2026. Such objections could lead to a delay in the disinterment process for the decedent in question, highlighting the Army's recognition of familial rights and concerns in this sensitive matter.
Implications and Broader Significance
These ongoing disinterment and repatriation efforts are part of a broader national reckoning with the legacy of federal Indian boarding schools. For Native American communities, the return of ancestral remains is a profound act of healing, cultural reclamation, and justice. It signifies a tangible step towards mending historical wounds and honoring the memory of those who endured the policies of forced assimilation.
From a federal policy perspective, the Army's actions demonstrate a continuing commitment to responding to the requests of tribal nations and addressing historical injustices. While the scope of this particular notice is limited to twelve individuals, it reflects a larger trend of acknowledging and rectifying past wrongs through concrete actions. The meticulous nature of the correction regarding Susie King's name underscores the gravity with which these individual identities and their histories are now being treated, a stark contrast to the historical erasure experienced by many at these institutions.
