Notice2026-00456
Notice of Intended Repatriation: Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park, CA
Primary source
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Published
January 13, 2026
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 unassociated funerary objects, sacred objects, and/or objects of cultural patrimony 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 91 Issue 8 (Tuesday, January 13, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 8 (Tuesday, January 13, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1334-1335]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-00456]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
[N6846; NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0041752; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]
Notice of Intended Repatriation: Sonoma State University, Rohnert
Park, 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 Sonoma State University intends to
repatriate certain cultural items that meet the definition of
unassociated funerary objects, sacred objects, and/or 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 February 12, 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#9febe8f0edf4f4dfecf0f1f0f2feb1fafbea"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="3440435b465f5f74475b5a5b59551a515041">[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 355 lots of cultural items have been requested for
repatriation from various sites from Humboldt and Mendocino counties.
Of the cultural items, 297 lots are identified as sacred objects and
the other 58 lots are identified as objects of cultural patrimony.
The 190 lots of sacred objects were removed from CA-HUM-405,
located
[[Page 1335]]
near Shelter Cove in Humboldt county California. The cultural items
were removed during an archaeological test excavation led by the
Humboldt County Planning Department. The items include modified chert
stone tools, obsidian, ground stone tools, and soil. The cultural items
have been housed at Sonoma State University since 1979.
The 61 lots of sacred objects were removed from CA-HUM-182, located
near Shelter Cove in Humboldt county California. Additional information
identifying why the material was removed from the site was not
identified. The items include obsidian and shell. The cultural items
have been housed at Sonoma State University since 1989.
The 46 lots of sacred objects were removed from CA-MEN-1674 and
donated to the University by Jere Melo, located near Leggett in
Mendocino county California. The items include modified obsidian,
obsidian flakes, modified chert, and debitage. The cultural items have
been housed at Sonoma State University since 1989.
The eight lots of objects of cultural patrimony were removed from
their location during the Red Mountain Survey, located Humboldt county
California. The items include modified chert stone tools. The cultural
items have been housed at Sonoma State University since 1976.
The four lots of objects of cultural patrimony were removed from
their location during the Brushy Mountain Survey, located Humboldt
county California. The items include modified chert stone tools. The
cultural items have been housed at Sonoma State University since 1976.
The five lots of objects of cultural patrimony were removed from
CA-HUM-101, located near Humboldt Bay in Humboldt county California.
The material was removed from the surface of the site during an
archaeological survey. The items include modified chert stone tools and
ground stone tools. The cultural items have been housed at Sonoma State
University since 1976.
The 31 lots of objects of cultural patrimony were removed from CA-
HUM-102, located near Humboldt Bay inHumboldt county California. The
material was removed from the surface of the site during an
archaeological survey. The items include modified chert stone tools,
ground stone tools, and debitage. The cultural items have been housed
at Sonoma State University since 1976.
The two lots of objects of cultural patrimony were removed from CA-
HUM-316, located near Garberville in Humboldt county California. The
material was removed from the site during the Moody Bridge Project. The
items include modified chert stone tools. The cultural items have been
housed at Sonoma State University since 1976.
The one lot of objects of cultural patrimony were removed from CA-
HUM-317, located near Rohnerville in Humboldt county California.
Additional information identifying why the material was removed from
the site was not identified. The items include flaked chert. The
cultural items have been housed at Sonoma State University since 1976.
The one lot of objects of cultural patrimony were removed from CA-
HUM-319, located near Rohnerville in Humboldt county California.
Additional information identifying why the material was removed from
the site was not identified. The items include flaked chert. The
cultural items have been housed at Sonoma State University since 1976.
The six lots of objects of cultural patrimony were removed from
along the Van Dozen river near Bridgeville, Humboldt county California.
The items were then donated to the University by Larry Weigel. The
items include modified chert. The cultural items have been housed at
Sonoma State University since 1984.
In the case of missing cultural items, any additional items when
located will also be repatriated from the collections discussed above.
Based on records concerning the sacred objects, objects of cultural
patrimony, and the institution in which they are housed, there is no
evidence of the cultural items being treated with hazardous substances.
Determinations
The Sonoma State University has determined that:
<bullet> The 297 sacred objects described in this notice are
specific ceremonial objects needed by a traditional Native American
religious leader for present-day adherents to practice traditional
Native American religion, according to the Native American traditional
knowledge of a lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian
organization.
<bullet> The 58 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 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 February 12, 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.
Authority: Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act,
25 U.S.C. 3004 and the implementing regulations, 43 CFR 10.9.
Dated: January 5, 2026.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2026-00456 Filed 1-12-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-52-P
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