Notice2025-23156
Notice of Intended Repatriation: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
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 18, 2025
Issuing agencies
Interior DepartmentNational Park Service
Abstract
In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the University of Michigan intends to repatriate a certain cultural item that meets the definition of a Sacred Object, and that has a cultural affiliation with the Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations in this notice.
Full Text
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 241 (Thursday, December 18, 2025)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 241 (Thursday, December 18, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Page 59166]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-23156]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
[N6709; NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0041452; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]
Notice of Intended Repatriation: University of Michigan, Ann
Arbor, MI
AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and
Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the University of Michigan intends to
repatriate a certain cultural item that meets the definition of a
Sacred Object, and that has a cultural affiliation with the Indian
Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations in this notice.
DATES: Repatriation of the cultural item in this notice may occur on or
after January 20, 2026.
ADDRESSES: Send additional, written requests for repatriation of the
cultural item in this notice to Dr. Ben Secunda, University of
Michigan, Office of Research, Suite G269, Lane Hall, Ann Arbor, MI
48109-1274, email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#a2c0d1c7c1d7ccc6c3e2d7cfcbc1ca8cc7c6d7"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="3b59485e584e555f5a7b4e56525853155e5f4e">[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 the
University of Michigan, 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 one cultural item has been requested for repatriation.
The one sacred object is one lot of organic powder. The sacred object
was removed from the Allegany Reservation, in Cattaraugus County, New
York in 1925. It was then found in collections at the Pennsylvania
Historical and Museum Commission collections in 1949, and a portion of
the organic powder was subsequently sent to the University of Michigan
Museum of Anthropological Archaeology's (UMMAA) Ethnobotany Range in
1950. No known time period is associated with the Sacred Object.
Determinations
The University of Michigan has determined that:
<bullet> The one sacred object described in this notice is,
according to the Native American traditional knowledge of an Indian
Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization, a specific ceremonial object
needed by a traditional Native American religious leader for present-
day adherents to practice traditional Native American religion, and has
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).
<bullet> There is a connection between the cultural item described
in this notice and the Seneca Nation of Indians.
Requests for Repatriation
Additional, written requests for repatriation of the cultural item
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 item in this notice to a requestor may
occur on or after January 20, 2026. If competing requests for
repatriation are received, the University of Michigan must determine
the most appropriate requestor prior to repatriation. Requests for
joint repatriation of the cultural item are considered a single request
and not competing requests. The University of Michigan 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. 2025-23156 Filed 12-17-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-52-P
</pre><script data-cfasync="false" src="/cdn-cgi/scripts/5c5dd728/cloudflare-static/email-decode.min.js"></script></body>
</html>Indexed from Federal Register on December 18, 2025.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.