Notice2026-02701
Notice of Intended Repatriation: Western Washington University Archaeological Repository, Department of Anthropology, Bellingham, WA
Primary source
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Published
February 11, 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), intends to repatriate certain cultural items that meet the definition of sacred objects/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 28 (Wednesday, February 11, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 28 (Wednesday, February 11, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Page 6262]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-02701]
[[Page 6262]]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
[N6924; NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0041997; 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), intends to repatriate certain
cultural items that meet the definition of sacred objects/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 March 13, 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#3f4f56515a557f48484a115a5b4a"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="5a2a33343f301a2d2d2f743f3e2f">[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 12,556 cultural items have been requested for
repatriation. The 12,556 sacred objects/objects of cultural patrimony
are lithic bifaces, scrapers, choppers, hammerstones, adzes, cores,
flakes, and debitage. This collection, known as the Woodhaven Olcott
Collection, was derived from an archaeological compliance project
conducted by Drayton Archaeology (DA) for a private landowner. In
accordance with the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA), DA conducted
an initial archaeological assessment of the project area, resulting in
the identification and recording of 45SN417, the Woodhaven Olcott Site.
45SN417 is a precontact village site that consists of extensive
Paleoindian-period lithic materials and fire modified rock (FMR)
located along a broad flat terrace of a former channel of the Pilchuck
River in Snohomish County, WA. The collection was purchased by Mr.
Baldwin of DA from the private landowner and was subsequently donated
to the WWUAR. Thermal luminescence dated two items in the collection to
8700 BP and 7400 BP, respectively. The WWUAR has no information about
the collection being treated with potentially hazardous substances.
Determinations
The WWUAR has determined that:
<bullet> The 12,556 sacred objects/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 connection between the cultural items described
in this notice and the Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians of Washington;
Swinomish Indian Tribal Community; and the Tulalip Tribes of
Washington.
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 March 13, 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: February 4, 2026.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2026-02701 Filed 2-10-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-52-P
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