Notice2026-01667
Notice of Intended Repatriation: Western Washington University Archaeological Repository, Department of Anthropology, Bellingham, WA
Primary source
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Published
January 28, 2026
Issuing agencies
Interior DepartmentNational Park Service
Abstract
In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the Western Washington University Archaeological Repository (WWUAR), Department of Anthropology 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 18 (Wednesday, January 28, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 18 (Wednesday, January 28, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Page 3733]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-01667]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
[N6881; NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0041879; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]
Notice of Intended Repatriation: Western Washington University
Archaeological Repository, Department of Anthropology, Bellingham, WA
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 Western Washington University
Archaeological Repository (WWUAR), Department of Anthropology 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 27, 2026.
ADDRESSES: Send additional, written requests for repatriation of the
cultural items in this notice to Dr. Judith Pine, Western Washington
University, Department of Anthropology, Arntzen Hall 340, 516 High
Street, Bellingham, WA 98225, email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#4d3d242328270d3a3a3863282938"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="89f9e0e7ece3c9fefefca7ecedfc">[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
WWUAR, 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 36 cultural items have been requested for repatriation.
The 36 sacred objects/objects of cultural patrimony are bone, stone,
antler, glass and clay tools, red ochre and ceremonial items. These
items were identified in four different WWUAR collections from Whatcom
County, WA. Twelve of the 36 cultural items in this notice were
collected by Keith Montgomery of Western Washington University (WWU) in
1978 for his MA thesis research by systematic surface collection and
excavation of 5 2x2 meter test cuts. Another five of the cultural items
were collected by Robert Spear and Western Washington University,
spring and summer field schools in 1976 for his M.A. thesis research.
Materials were collected by excavation of 22 2x2 meter cuts and 1 1x3
meter cut. The final 19 cultural items requested for repatriation are
from the Sturgeon Collection. This collection from Deming, Whatcom
County, WA, consists of bone, stone, and antler tools and was donated
to the WWUAR at an unknown date. The WWUAR has no information about the
collections being treated with potentially hazardous substances.
Determinations
The WWUAR has determined that:
<bullet> The 36 sacred objects/objects of cultural patrimony
described in this notice are, according to the Native American
traditional knowledge of an Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian
organization, specific ceremonial objects needed by a traditional
Native American religious leader for present-day adherents to practice
traditional Native American religion, and 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).
<bullet> There is a connection between the cultural items described
in this notice and the Lummi Tribe of the Lummi Reservation and the
Nooksack Indian Tribe.
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 27, 2026. If competing requests for
repatriation are received, the WWUAR 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 WWUAR 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 15, 2026.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2026-01667 Filed 1-27-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-52-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on January 28, 2026.
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