Notice2025-18862
Notice of Intended Repatriation: Haffenreffer Museum of Anthropology, Brown University, Bristol, RI
Primary source
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Published
September 29, 2025
Issuing agencies
Interior DepartmentNational Park Service
Abstract
In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the Haffenreffer Museum of Anthropology, Brown University (HMA) intends to repatriate certain cultural items that meet the definition of unassociated funerary objects and that have a cultural affiliation with the Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations in this notice.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 186 (Monday, September 29, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 186 (Monday, September 29, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46633-46634]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-18862]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
[N6569; NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0041193; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]
Notice of Intended Repatriation: Haffenreffer Museum of
Anthropology, Brown University, Bristol, RI
AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and
Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the Haffenreffer Museum of Anthropology,
Brown University (HMA) intends to repatriate certain cultural items
that meet the definition of unassociated funerary objects and that have
a cultural affiliation with the Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian
organizations in this notice.
DATES: Repatriation of the cultural items in this notice may occur on
or after October 29, 2025.
ADDRESSES: Send additional, written requests for repatriation of the
cultural items in this notice to Kellie Bowers, Brown University,
Haffenreffer Museum of Anthropology, 300 Tower Street, Bristol, RI
02889, email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#49222c2525202c162b263e2c3b3a092b3b263e27672c2d3c"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="84efe1e8e8ede1dbe6ebf3e1f6f7c4e6f6ebf3eaaae1e0f1">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice is published as part of the
National Park Service's administrative responsibilities under NAGPRA.
The
[[Page 46634]]
determinations in this notice are the sole responsibility of the HMA,
and additional information on the determinations in this notice,
including the results of consultation, can be found in the summary or
related records. The National Park Service is not responsible for the
determinations in this notice.
Abstract of Information Available
A total of four cultural items have been requested for
repatriation. The four unassociated funerary items are one lot of
pyrite and other stones, one lot of pigment, one possible clay vessel,
and one lot of lithics including adzes, blades, celts, flakes, gouges,
hammerstones, hoes, knives, mortars, pendants, pestles, plummets,
polishing stones, projectile points, scrapers, sinkers, smoothers,
weights, and whetstones. These items were removed from multiple burials
from at least nine locations in Maine. Many were excavated under the
supervision of Warren K. Moorehead in the first half of the 20th
century.
Determinations
The HMA has determined that:
<bullet> The four unassociated funerary objects described in this
notice are reasonably believed to have been placed intentionally with
or near human remains, and are connected, either at the time of death
or later as part of the death rite or ceremony of a Native American
culture according to the Native American traditional knowledge of a
lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization. The
unassociated funerary objects have been identified by a preponderance
of the evidence as related to human remains, specific individuals, or
families, or removed from a specific burial site or burial area of an
individual or individuals with cultural affiliation to an Indian Tribe
or Native Hawaiian organization.
<bullet> There is a connection between the cultural items described
in this notice and the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians; Mi'kmaq Nation
(previously listed as Aroostook Band of Micmacs); Passamaquoddy Tribe;
and the Penobscot Nation.
Requests for Repatriation
Additional, written requests for repatriation of the cultural items
in this notice must be sent to the authorized representative identified
in this notice under ADDRESSES. Requests for repatriation may be
submitted by any lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian
organization not identified in this notice who shows, by a
preponderance of the evidence, that the requestor is a lineal
descendant or a culturally affiliated Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian
organization.
Repatriation of the cultural items in this notice to a requestor
may occur on or after October 29, 2025. If competing requests for
repatriation are received, the HMA must determine the most appropriate
requestor prior to repatriation. Requests for joint repatriation of the
cultural items are considered a single request and not competing
requests. The HMA is responsible for sending a copy of this notice to
the Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations identified in this
notice and to any other consulting parties.
Authority: Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act,
25 U.S.C. 3004 and the implementing regulations, 43 CFR 10.9.
Dated: September 18, 2025.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2025-18862 Filed 9-26-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-52-P
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