Notice2025-23052
Notice of Intended Repatriation: University of California, Davis, Davis, CA
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
December 17, 2025
Issuing agencies
Interior DepartmentNational Park Service
Abstract
In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the University of California, Davis (UC Davis) intends to repatriate certain cultural items that meet the definition of sacred 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 240 (Wednesday, December 17, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 240 (Wednesday, December 17, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Page 58582]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-23052]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
[N6697; NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0041443; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]
Notice of Intended Repatriation: University of California, Davis,
Davis, CA
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 University of California, Davis (UC
Davis) intends to repatriate certain cultural items that meet the
definition of sacred 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 January 16, 2026.
ADDRESSES: Send additional, written requests for repatriation of the
cultural items in this notice to Megon Noble, University of California,
Davis, 412 Mrak Hall, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, email
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#402d2e2f222c2500352324213629336e252435"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="7a17141518161f3a0f191e1b0c1309541f1e0f">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice is published as part of the
National Park Service's administrative responsibilities under NAGPRA.
The determinations in this notice are the sole responsibility of UC
Davis, 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 six cultural items have been requested for repatriation.
The sacred objects are six baskets. The University is unaware of any
specific treatment of the individual sacred objects with pesticides,
preservatives, or other substances that represent a potential hazard to
the objects or to persons handling the objects. However, records
located in the Anthropology Museum indicate that approximately \1/3\ of
the Merriam collection had been treated with Berlou, a dry mothproofing
substance used as an insecticide, in 1964. It is unknown which baskets
were treated.
One of the sacred objects originates from Humboldt County--CHM-46
was purchased by Frank J. Hittell near Dyerville in August 1903 and is
assumed to have been later gifted to or purchased by C. Hart Merriam.
Two of the sacred objects originate from Mendocino County--CHM-97 and
CHM-98 were purchased by C. Hart Merriam from Sally Bell at her home
near Needle Rock Crossroads in August 1923. Three sacred objects
originate from Trinity County--CHM-47, CHM-48, and CHM-49 were
purchased by C. Hart Merriam from ``an old Indian Woman,'' possibly
Mrs. Lucy Young near Hettenshaw Valley in June 1922.
Determinations
UC Davis has determined that:
<bullet> The six sacred objects described in this notice have
ongoing historical, traditional, or cultural importance central to the
Native American group, including any constituent sub-group (such as a
band, clan, lineage, ceremonial society, or other subdivision),
according to the Native American traditional knowledge of an Indian
Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization.
<bullet> There is a reasonable connection between the cultural
items described in this notice and the Bear River Band of the
Rohnerville Rancheria, California.
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 January 16, 2026. If competing requests for
repatriation are received, the UC Davis 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 UC Davis 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: November 25, 2025.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2025-23052 Filed 12-16-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-52-P
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