Notice2026-05374

Notice of Intended Repatriation: Ohio History Connection, Columbus, OH

Primary source

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Published
March 19, 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 an object of cultural patrimony and that has 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 53 (Thursday, March 19, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 53 (Thursday, March 19, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Page 13333]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-05374]



[[Page 13333]]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[N6995; NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0042347; 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 an 
object of cultural patrimony and that has a cultural affiliation with 
the Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations in this notice.

DATES: Repatriation of the cultural item in this notice may occur on or 
after April 20, 2026.

ADDRESSES: Send additional, written requests for repatriation of the 
cultural item in this notice to Stephanie Kline, Ohio History 
Connection, 800 E 17th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43211, email 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#6a040b0d1a180b2a050203050203191e0518134405180d"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="630d0204131102230c0b0a0c0b0a10170c111a4d0c1104">[email&#160;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 object of cultural patrimony is a Treaty Pipe from 1842. 
Wyandot Indian tribal representatives and John Johnston, representing 
the United States, used the pipe in 1842 at a treaty council. As a 
result of that treaty, Wyandot Indians were removed in 1843 to land 
west of the Mississippi River. Johnston and his descendants retained 
the pipe. It was passed to additional owners, and finally to Leonard U. 
Hill, of Piqua, who donated it to the Ohio Historical Society (now Ohio 
History Connection) ca. 1970-1973. This Treaty Pipe has been impacted 
by mold and is set to undergo conservation treatment to mitigate all 
known biohazards. Additionally, it appears that an epoxy or other type 
of adhesive was applied to fasten the head to the stem, likely applied 
within 20 years prior to donation to Ohio History Connection.

Determinations

    The Ohio History Connection has determined that:
    <bullet> The one object of cultural patrimony described in this 
notice has 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 item described 
in this notice and the Wyandotte Nation.

Requests for Repatriation

    Additional, written requests for repatriation of the cultural item 
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 item in this notice to a requestor may 
occur on or after April 20, 2026. If competing requests for 
repatriation are received, the Ohio History Connection must determine 
the most appropriate requestor prior to repatriation. Requests for 
joint repatriation of the cultural item 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: March 11, 2026.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2026-05374 Filed 3-18-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-52-P


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Indexed from Federal Register on March 19, 2026.

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