They may want to speak to their elders and spiritual leaders as they prepare. We think that this is a private matter and would ask that the news media and the public respect the sensitive nature of this matter when they approach Natives for information. Repatriation legislation was enacted with the participation of Native people, museums, archaeologists, and legislators. The current process has the strong support of Native people nationwide. It is overwhelmingly more likely than not that Ishi was a Yana Indian.
Consultation is the most important step in a repatriation.
Consultation includes the sharing of information by both sides and the discussion of a broad range of issues. This respects tribal sovereignty over matters which deal with the legal, cultural, and internal affairs of an Indian people. In repatriation, this means that we work through federally-recognized Indian tribes. Ishi communicated easily with other Yana and with linguists by using Yana-Yahi. There always were many of his tribe still alive, but they had become enmeshed in the larger 'American' society as had other Natives.