Notice2026-09406
Notice of Intended Repatriation: University of California, Davis, Davis, CA
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
May 12, 2026
Issuing agencies
Interior DepartmentNational Park Service
Abstract
In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the University of California, Davis (UC Davis) 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 91 (Tuesday, May 12, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 91 (Tuesday, May 12, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25908-25909]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-09406]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
[N7138; NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0042754; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]
Notice of Intended Repatriation: University of California, Davis,
Davis, 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 University of California, Davis (UC
Davis) 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 June 11, 2026.
ADDRESSES: Send additional, written requests for repatriation of the
cultural item in this notice to Megon Noble, Repatriation Coordinator,
University of California, Davis, 251 Mrak Hall, One Shields Avenue,
Davis, CA 95616, email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#6d0003020f01082d180e090c1b041e43080918"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="6d0003020f01082d180e090c1b041e43080918">[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 UC
Davis, 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 object of cultural patrimony is a basket. The University is unaware
of any specific treatment of the individual object of cultural
patrimony with pesticides, preservatives, or other substances that
represent a potential hazard to the objects or to persons handling the
objects. However, records located in the Department of Anthropology
Museum indicate that approximately \1/3\ of the Merriam collection had
been treated with Berlou, a dry mothproofing substance used as an
insecticide, in 1964. It is unknown which baskets were treated.
The object of cultural patrimony, CHM 103, was purchased by Merriam
from a weaver at Blue Lake, Humboldt County, California. The weaver was
most likely Laura Stevens. Her married name was possibly Laura Taggert/
Taggard according to the claimant Tribe. Merriam took a photo of her
and her father, John Stevens, on the same day he purchased the baskets,
indicating she is likely the weaver related to this object of cultural
patrimony.
Determinations
UC Davis 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,
[[Page 25909]]
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 reasonable connection between the cultural item
described in this notice and the Blue Lake Rancheria, California.
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 June 11, 2026. If competing requests for repatriation
are received, UC Davis 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 UC
Davis 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: May 5, 2026.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2026-09406 Filed 5-11-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-52-P
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