Notice2025-23352
Notice of Intended Repatriation: Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park, 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 19, 2025
Issuing agencies
Interior DepartmentNational Park Service
Abstract
In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the Sonoma State University intends to repatriate certain cultural items that meet the definition of objects of cultural patrimony and that have a cultural affiliation with the Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations in this notice.
Full Text
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 242 (Friday, December 19, 2025)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 242 (Friday, December 19, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59566-59567]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-23352]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
[N6764; NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0041549; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]
Notice of Intended Repatriation: Sonoma State University, Rohnert
Park, CA
AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and
Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the Sonoma State University intends to
repatriate certain cultural items that meet the definition of objects
of cultural patrimony 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 20, 2026.
ADDRESSES: Send additional, written requests for repatriation of the
cultural items in this notice to Kirsten Twork, Sonoma State
University, 1801 East Cotati Avenue, Rohnert Park, CA 94928, email
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#7105061e031a1a31021e1f1e1c105f141504"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="daaeadb5a8b1b19aa9b5b4b5b7bbf4bfbeaf">[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
Sonoma State University, 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 205 lots of objects of cultural patrimony have been
requested for repatriation.
A total of three lots of objects of cultural patrimony were removed
from CA-PLA-75 located near Roseville in Placer county California.
There was no information found explaining why the cultural items were
removed from the site. The cultural items are obsidian and have been
housed at Sonoma State University since their submission.
A total of one lot of objects of cultural patrimony was removed
from CA-PLA-139 located near Auburn in Placer county California. There
was no information found explaining why the cultural items were removed
from the site. The cultural item is obsidian and has been housed at
Sonoma State University since their submission.
A total of 11 lots of objects of cultural patrimony were removed
from CA-PLA-395 located near Five Lakes in Placer county California.
There was no information found explaining why the cultural items were
removed from the site. The cultural items are obsidian and have been
housed at Sonoma State University since their submission.
A total of 190 lots of objects of cultural patrimony were removed
from CA-PLA-965 near Auburn in Placer county California. There was no
information found explaining why the cultural items were removed from
the site. The cultural items are obsidian and have been housed at
Sonoma State University since their submission.
Determinations
The Sonoma State University has determined that:
<bullet> The 205 lots of objects of cultural patrimony 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 United Auburn Indian Community
of the Auburn Rancheria of 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 20, 2026. If competing requests for
repatriation are received, the Sonoma State University 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 Sonoma State University 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.
[[Page 59567]]
Authority: Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act,
25 U.S.C. 3004 and the implementing regulations, 43 CFR 10.9.
Dated: December 8, 2025.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2025-23352 Filed 12-18-25; 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 19, 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.