Notice2026-05032
Notice of Intended Repatriation: Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum, Rockford, IL
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 16, 2026
Issuing agencies
Interior DepartmentNational Park Service
Abstract
In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum (TSCM) intends to repatriate certain cultural items that meet the definition of sacred objects and that have a cultural affiliation with the Native Hawaiian organizations in this notice.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 50 (Monday, March 16, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 50 (Monday, March 16, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12617-12618]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-05032]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
[N6970; NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0042293; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]
Notice of Intended Repatriation: Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum,
Rockford, IL
AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.
[[Page 12618]]
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and
Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum (TSCM)
intends to repatriate certain cultural items that meet the definition
of sacred objects and that have a cultural affiliation with the Native
Hawaiian organizations in this notice.
DATES: Repatriation of the cultural items in this notice may occur on
or after April 15, 2026.
ADDRESSES: Send additional, written requests for repatriation of the
cultural items in this notice to Samantha Hochmann, Tinker Swiss
Cottage Museum, 411 Kent Street, Rockford, IL 61102, email
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#1b687a767a756f737a5b6f7275707e6978746f6f7a7c7e35787476"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="d6a5b7bbb7b8a2beb796a2bfb8bdb3a4b5b9a2a2b7b1b3f8b5b9bb">[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
TSCM, 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 seven cultural items have been requested for
repatriation. The seven sacred objects are fishhook & line, shark tooth
weapon, shark tooth knife, sling, cloth (kapa), and shell necklace. The
artifacts were originally brought to Rockford, IL by Robert Tinker in
the 1870s. Robert was born in the Hawaiian islands as his parents
served as missionaries from 1831-1841, and he returned for his
honeymoon in 1870. The seven items were collected by himself and his
parents during their time in the islands, in large part near Hilo and
Honolulu. All seven cultural items qualify as sacred objects not only
because of their primary functions, but specifically because of their
ceremonial function during the [revaps]ike p[amacr]p[amacr]lua
ceremonies.
Determinations
The TSCM has determined that:
<bullet> The seven sacred objects 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 Hui Iwi Kuamo[revaps]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 15, 2026. If competing requests for
repatriation are received, the TSCM 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 TSCM is responsible for sending a copy of this notice to
the 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: March 5, 2026.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2026-05032 Filed 3-13-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-52-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on March 16, 2026.
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