Notice2026-07944
Notice of Intended Repatriation: Denver Museum of Nature & Science, Denver, CO
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 Denver Museum of Nature & Science (DMNS) intends to repatriate certain cultural items that meet the definition of sacred objects/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 78 (Thursday, April 23, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 78 (Thursday, April 23, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Page 21847]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-07944]
[[Page 21847]]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
[N7095; NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0042626; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]
Notice of Intended Repatriation: Denver Museum of Nature &
Science, Denver, CO
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 Denver Museum of Nature & Science (DMNS)
intends to repatriate certain cultural items that meet the definition
of sacred objects/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 26, 2026.
ADDRESSES: Send additional, written requests for repatriation of the
cultural items in this notice to Dr. Michele Koons, Denver Museum of
Nature & Science, 2001 Colorado Blvd., Denver, CO 80205-5798, email
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#3c71555f5459505912775353524f7c5851524f12534e5b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="7c31151f1419101952371313120f3c1811120f52130e1b">[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
DMNS, 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/objects of cultural patrimony are one kukui hele
p[omacr] (stone lamp) and one `umeke l[amacr][revaps]au (wood bowl).
The kukui hele p[omacr] (stone lamp), unknown catalog number, was
accessioned into the DMNS Collection in 1968 and is currently missing.
No other provenance information is known currently. The object is
described as a ``Kukui nut lamp, DMNH [Denver Museum of Natural
History, now DMNS] Education Collection Hawaii.''
The `umeke l[amacr][revaps]au (wood bowl), A1012.1, was acquired by
Ernst Giesecke from Honolulu, Hawaii, and gifted to Mrs. Albert
Giesecke. The object was donated to DMNS in 1978 by Carl Blaurock, the
conservator of Mrs. Albert Giesecke's estate.
Determinations
The DMNS has determined that:
<bullet> The two sacred objects/objects of cultural patrimony
described in this notice are, according to the Native American
traditional knowledge of an Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian
organization, specific ceremonial objects needed by a traditional
Native American religious leader for present-day adherents to practice
traditional Native American religion, and 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).
<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 DMNS 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 DMNS 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: April 15, 2026.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2026-07944 Filed 4-22-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-52-P
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