Notice2026-00660
Notice of Intended Repatriation: University of Denver Museum of Anthropology, Denver, CO
Primary source
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Published
January 15, 2026
Issuing agencies
Interior DepartmentNational Park Service
Abstract
In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the University of Denver Museum of Anthropology 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 91 Issue 10 (Thursday, January 15, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 10 (Thursday, January 15, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1806-1807]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-00660]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
[N6852; NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0041830; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]
Notice of Intended Repatriation: University of Denver Museum of
Anthropology, Denver, CO
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 Denver Museum of
Anthropology 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 February 17, 2026.
ADDRESSES: Send additional, written requests for repatriation of the
cultural items in this notice to Dena Sedar, University of Denver
Museum of Anthropology (DUMA), 2000 E. Asbury Street, Denver, CO 80210,
email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c7a3a2a9a6e9b4a2a3a6b587a3b2e9a2a3b2"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="6c0809020d421f09080d1e2c081942090819">[email protected]</span></a>.
[[Page 1807]]
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
DUMA, 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 five cultural items have been requested for
repatriation. The five sacred objects are one adze, one wall fragment,
one stone pestle, one sling stone, and one poi pounder. These cultural
items were collected by Fallis F. Rees during a trip to the Hawaiian
Islands in the early 1960s. The exact collection locations are unknown,
but Rees visited both Hawai'i Island and O'ahu during his trip. Rees
donated the five sacred objects to the DUMA in 1967. There is no record
at DUMA that the items were treated with any potentially hazardous
substance.
Determinations
The DUMA has determined that:
<bullet> The five 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> There is a reasonable connection between the cultural
items described in this notice and Hui Iwi Kuamo'o.
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 17, 2026. If competing requests for
repatriation are received, the DUMA 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 DUMA 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 9, 2026.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2026-00660 Filed 1-14-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-52-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on January 15, 2026.
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