Notice of Intended Repatriation: Mills College Art Museum, Northeastern University, Oakland, CA
Primary source
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Issuing agencies
Abstract
In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the Mills College Art Museum, Northeastern University intends to repatriate certain cultural items that meet the definition of 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 63 (Thursday, April 2, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 63 (Thursday, April 2, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16726-16727]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-06355]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
[N7037; NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0042501; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]
Notice of Intended Repatriation: Mills College Art Museum,
Northeastern University, Oakland, CA
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 Mills College Art Museum, Northeastern
University intends to repatriate certain cultural items that meet the
definition of 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 May 4, 2026.
ADDRESSES: Send additional, written requests for repatriation of the
cultural items in this notice to Dr. Stephanie Hanor, Mills College Art
Museum, Northeastern University, 5000 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland, CA
94613, email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c8bbe6a0a9a6a7ba88a6a7babca0ada9bbbcadbaa6e6adacbd"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a5d68bcdc4cbcad7e5cbcad7d1cdc0c4d6d1c0d7cb8bc0c1d0">[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
Mills College Art Museum, Northeastern University, 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 11 cultural items have been requested for repatriation.
The 11 objects of cultural patrimony are woven baskets and caps. The
items are: 1969.81, Storage Basket with black friendship/flint design
with zigzag, ca. 19th century, found in collection/no acquisition
history; 1969.89, Acorn Soup Bowl, early 20th century, found in
collection/no acquisition history; 1969.112, Ceremonial Cap with black
stacked wood design, 20th century, found in collection/no acquisition
history; 1981.10.1, Ceremonial Cap, ca. 1900, Gift of Martha McMaster
Quimby, no provenance history; 1985.4.2, Trinket Basket with black/red
friendship design, ca. 1920, found in collection/no acquisition
history; 1981.10.2, Ceremonial Cap with black/red frogs foot design,
ca. 1900, Gift of Martha McMaster Quimby, no provenance history;
1997.14.1, Gambling Tray with black/red friendship design, 20th
century, Gift of Laurette Schorcht, no provenance history; 1997.14.4,
Trinket Basket, 20th century, Gift of Laurette Schorcht, no provenance
history; 1997.14.6, Trinket Basket, 20th century, Gift of Laurette
Schorcht, no provenance history; 2005.135, Ceremonial Cap with black/
red flint design, early 20th century, Gift of Laurette Schorcht, no
provenance history; 2005.128, Trinket Basket with black butterfly
design, early 20th century, Gift of Laurette Schorcht, no provenance
history. The geographical location for these items is unknown and the
cultural affiliation is Hupa. Testing has shown trace amounts of
mercury on 1997.14.1 and trace amounts of arsenic on 1969.89. There are
no traces of hazardous substances on the other cultural items.
Determinations
The Mills College Art Museum has determined that:
<bullet> The 11 objects of cultural patrimony described in this
notice 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), according to the Native American traditional knowledge of
an Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization.
<bullet> There is a connection between the cultural items described
in this notice and the Hoopa Valley Tribe, California.
Requests for Repatriation
Additional, written requests for repatriation of the cultural items
in this notice must be sent to the authorized
[[Page 16727]]
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 May 4, 2026. If competing requests for
repatriation are received, the Mills College Art Museum 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 Mills College Art 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: March 24, 2026
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2026-06355 Filed 4-1-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-52-P
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