Notice2026-07940

Notice of Intended Repatriation: Miami University, Oxford, OH

Primary source

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Published
April 23, 2026

Issuing agencies

Interior DepartmentNational Park Service

Abstract

In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the Miami University intends to repatriate certain cultural items that meet the definition of sacred objects 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 78 (Thursday, April 23, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 78 (Thursday, April 23, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21847-21848]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-07940]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[N7082; NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0042618; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]


Notice of Intended Repatriation: Miami University, Oxford, 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 Miami University intends to repatriate 
certain cultural items that meet the definition of sacred objects 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 26, 2026.

ADDRESSES: Send additional, written requests for repatriation of the 
cultural items in this notice to Dr. Richard Page, Vice President for 
Research and Innovation, Miami University, Roudebush Hall, Suite 102, 
501 E High Street, Oxford, OH 45056, email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#056a776c45486c64686c4a4d2b606170"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="315e4358717c58505c587e791f545544">[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 
Miami 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 two cultural items have been requested for repatriation. 
The two sacred objects are specific ceremonial objects needed by a 
traditional Native Hawaiian religious leader for present-day adherents 
to practice traditional Native Hawaiian religion, according to the 
Native Hawaiian traditional knowledge of a lineal descendant, Indian 
Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization. There is a connection between 
the cultural items described in this notice and the Native Hawaiian 
Organization Hui Iwi Kuamo[revaps]o.

Determinations

    The Miami University has determined that:
    <bullet> The two sacred objects described in this notice are 
specific ceremonial

[[Page 21848]]

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, 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 26, 2026. If competing requests for 
repatriation are received, the Miami University 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 Miami University is responsible for sending 
a copy of this notice to all requestors and 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: April 15, 2026.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2026-07940 Filed 4-22-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-52-P


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Indexed from Federal Register on April 23, 2026.

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