Notice2026-04039
Notice of Intended Repatriation: Ohio History Connection, Columbus, OH
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
March 2, 2026
Issuing agencies
Interior DepartmentNational Park Service
Abstract
In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the Ohio History Connection intends to repatriate a certain cultural item that meets the definition of a sacred object and that has a cultural affiliation with the Native Hawaiian organization in this notice.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 40 (Monday, March 2, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 40 (Monday, March 2, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10123-10124]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-04039]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
[N6950; NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0042088; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]
Notice of Intended Repatriation: Ohio History Connection,
Columbus, OH
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 Ohio History Connection intends to
repatriate a certain cultural item that meets the definition of a
sacred object and that has a cultural affiliation with the Native
Hawaiian organization in this notice.
DATES: Repatriation of the cultural items in this notice may occur on
or after April 1, 2026.
ADDRESSES: Send additional, written requests for repatriation of the
cultural items in this notice to Stephanie Kline, Ohio History
Connection, 800 E 17th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43211, email
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#1b757a7c6b697a5b747372747372686f7469623574697c"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="dcb2bdbbacaebd9cb3b4b5b3b4b5afa8b3aea5f2b3aebb">[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
Ohio History Connection, 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 one cultural item has been requested for repatriation.
The one sacred object is a polol[umacr] (previously identified as an
ihe [spear]). This polol[umacr] was donated to Ohio
Historical Society (now Ohio History Connection) by Elizabeth R.
(Mrs. George) Ocshier on August 2, 1978. According to Mrs. Ocshier, her
grandfather, Henry Hiram Ellis, received this item from the Royal
Governor of Kaua'i, Paul Puhuila Kanoa, when visiting Hawai`i in 1890.
Records suggest that this item was removed from Ni`ihau, Kaua`i County,
Hawai`i. A varnish may have been applied to the the polol[umacr] on an
unknown date. Additionally, possible plaster and/or bird droppings and
paper adhere to the surface of the item.
Determinations
The Ohio History Connection has determined that:
<bullet> The one sacred object described in this notice is a
specific ceremonial object 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 the 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 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 Native Hawaiian organization.
Repatriation of the cultural items in this notice to a requestor
may occur on or after April 1, 2026. If competing requests for
repatriation are received, the Ohio History Connection must
[[Page 10124]]
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 Ohio History Connection
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 20, 2026.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2026-04039 Filed 2-27-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-52-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on March 2, 2026.
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