The U.S. Army will continue its commitment to reunite Native American and Alaska Native families with their loved ones through its ninth year of disinterment operations at Carlisle Barracks, beginning Sept. 1, 2026.
The Army is actively working to help bring healing and closure to five Native American tribes and four Alaska Native families whose children died after being sent to the Carlisle Indian Industrial School and who were buried there more than 100 years ago. On behalf of the Army, the Office of Army Cemeteries (OAC) is scheduled to begin the multi-phase disinterment program in September, with forensic archaeological and anthropological expertise from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
The decedents who will be disinterred are: Alaska Natives Mabel Stock, Edward Angalook, Lucy Spaulding, and Tummassak (Tomicock); 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; Susie King from the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians; Margaret Davis from the Keewenaw Bay Indian Community.
“It is a profound privilege for the Army to continue the Carlisle Barracks Disinterment Program this year,” said Karen Durham-Aguilera, Executive Director of Army National Military Cemeteries and the Office of Army Cemeteries. “The unwavering dedication of the five Native American tribes and four Alaska Native families is truly inspiring, and we are honored to support them and the planned return of their children.”
In 1879, Carlisle Barracks became the site of the Carlisle Indian Industrial School, which was operated by the Department of the Interior until 1918. The school enrolled nearly 8,000 Native American children, with representation from over 100 Native American tribes from across the nation.
OAC will disinter and transfer custody to families and tribes able to establish the closest family link between the decedent and requestor, following Army Regulation 290-5.
The transfer of custody will enable families and tribes to return these children to an interment location of their choice. The Army will reimburse families for their travel to participate in the disinterment process, a subsequent transfer ceremony and the cost of transport and reinterment of their children.
“The Office of Army Cemeteries team is inspired by the strength and courage from the Native American and Alaska Native Tribes as they make this journey to bring their children home,” said Director of the Office of Army Cemeteries Renea Yates. “Navigating the disinterment and return process requires the highest level of professional care and compassion and we are committed to providing the expert assistance needed to return their loved ones to their families and communities.”
The Carlisle Barracks Post Cemetery will be closed to visitors starting Aug. 14, when site set-up begins, until the completion of the scheduled disinterments, tentatively scheduled for Oct. 12. Out of respect for the families and tribes, and consistent with Army cemetery protocol, the entire cemetery area will be enclosed with privacy fencing. Access to the cemetery will be restricted to the OAC staff along with tribal members and their families.
