Notice2026-05291
Notice of Intended Repatriation: Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK
Primary source
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Published
March 18, 2026
Issuing agencies
Interior DepartmentNational Park Service
Abstract
In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History (SNOMNH), intends to repatriate certain cultural items that meet the definition of sacred objects and that have a cultural affiliation with the Native Hawaiian organization in this notice.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 52 (Wednesday, March 18, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 52 (Wednesday, March 18, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13061-13062]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-05291]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
[N7010; NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0042365; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]
Notice of Intended Repatriation: Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of
Natural History, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK
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 Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural
History (SNOMNH), intends to repatriate certain cultural items that
meet the definition of sacred objects and that have 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 17, 2026.
ADDRESSES: Send additional, written requests for repatriation of the
cultural items in this notice to Chelsea Rose, Interim NAGPRA Program
Coordinator, Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History, 2401
Chautauqua Avenue, Norman, OK 73072, email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#9af9f2fff6e9fffbb4e8f5e9ffdaf5efb4fffeef"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e5868d8089968084cb978a9680a58a90cb808190">[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
SNOMNH, 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 are: [revaps]Ul[imacr][revaps]ul[imacr] (Gourd
Rattle, OC-01-03-005), Ipu Paka (Tobacco Pipe, OC-01-03-009),
Wa[revaps]a (Model Canoe, OC-01-03-010), Wa[revaps]a (Model Canoe, OC-
01-03-011), Ipu Paka (Tobacco Pipe, OC-01-03-012), [revaps]Umeke
L[amacr][revaps]au (Wood Bowl, OC-01-03-013), and Niho Palaoa (Whale
Tooth, OC-01-03-014) donated by J.R. Simpson in 1944-45; Tapa (Kapa,
OC-01-03-002) collected by Lilly Stafford in 1925 and donated to the
SNOMNH by Betty Baehr; Kapa (Tapa, OC-01-03-023) donated by Wesley
Young from the R. Snoddy Home Economics collection in 2008; and Kapa
(Tapa, OC-01-02-024) donated by J.W. Grew in 1956.
In the past, hazardous substances were used to treat the Ethnology
Collection at the SNOMNH. The Ethnology Collection was, in part or
whole, exposed to Paradichlorobenzene (PBD) (in textile storage, use
discontinued before or around 1981); Naphthalene (moth flake packets
stored with textiles, use discontinued around 1985); Vapona (no-pest-
strips, active ingredient: Dichlorvos DDVP); and pyrethrins (placed in
cases with objects, use discontinued around 1986). None of these
products ever came into direct contact with objects. Any potential
treatments of these objects by donors are unknown.
The building where the Ethnology collection was previously stored
was subject to fumigation multiple times per year from 1983-1985, using
Vapo-Mist 500, 5% Vapona Insecticide (active ingredient was
dichlorovinyl dimethyl phosphate (DDVP) and also contained petroleum
distillates and 1,1,1-trichloethane). Please be aware that chemical
remnants may be present in objects as well as museum cabinets and/or
other furniture used to store collections.
Determinations
The SNOMNH has determined that:
<bullet> The 10 sacred objects described in this notice are
specific ceremonial objects 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 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 Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization.
Repatriation of the cultural items in this notice to a requestor
may occur on or after April 17, 2026. If competing requests for
repatriation are received, the SNOMNH must determine the most
appropriate requestor prior to repatriation. Requests for joint
repatriation of the cultural items are
[[Page 13062]]
considered a single request and not competing requests. The SNOMNH 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: March 11, 2026.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2026-05291 Filed 3-17-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-52-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on March 18, 2026.
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