Notice2026-06355

Notice of Intended Repatriation: Mills College Art Museum, Northeastern University, Oakland, CA

Primary source

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Published
April 2, 2026

Issuing agencies

Interior DepartmentNational Park Service

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&#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 
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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Indexed from Federal Register on April 2, 2026.

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