Notice2026-03570
Notice of Intended Repatriation: Arizona State Museum, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
Primary source
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Published
February 23, 2026
Issuing agencies
Interior DepartmentNational Park Service
Abstract
In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the Arizona State Museum, University of Arizona, 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 35 (Monday, February 23, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 35 (Monday, February 23, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Page 8514]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-03570]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
[N6946; NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0042053; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]
Notice of Intended Repatriation: Arizona State Museum, University
of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
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 Arizona State Museum, University of
Arizona, 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 25, 2026.
ADDRESSES: Send additional, written requests for repatriation of the
cultural items in this notice to Cristin Lucas, Repatriation
Coordinator, Arizona State Museum, University of Arizona, 1013 E
University Blvd., Tucson, AZ 85721-0026, email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#5e322b3d3f2d3d1e3f2c372431303f703b3a2b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="204c5543415343604152495a4f4e410e454455">[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
Arizona State Museum, University of Arizona, 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 10 cultural items have been requested for repatriation.
The 10 sacred objects/objects of cultural patrimony are saguaro wine
baskets. These cultural items were collected by various individuals
from southern Arizona from circa 1900 to the 1940s and received by the
Arizona State Museum as donations or, in a few cases, acquisitions. The
items represented in this request were identified through historic
documentation and consultation as being representative of Tohono
O'odham stylistic traditions. There are no documented applications of
hazardous substances for the items represented in this request.
However, given the years of acquisition, it is likely that chemical
treatments were used. If these items are to be returned to use, it is
strongly recommended that testing for the presence of hazardous
substances is conducted by a qualified professional.
Determinations
The Arizona State Museum, University of Arizona, has determined
that:
<bullet> The 10 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 Tohono O'odham Nation of Arizona.
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 25, 2026. If competing requests for
repatriation are received, the Arizona State Museum, University of
Arizona, 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 Arizona
State Museum 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 13, 2026.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2026-03570 Filed 2-20-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-52-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on February 23, 2026.
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