Notice2026-11229
Notice of Intended Repatriation: Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS
Primary source
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Published
June 4, 2026
Issuing agencies
Interior DepartmentNational Park Service
Abstract
In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), Kansas State University (K-State) intends to repatriate certain cultural items that meet the definition of unassociated funerary 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 107 (Thursday, June 4, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 107 (Thursday, June 4, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33740-33741]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-11229]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
[N7189; NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0042922; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]
Notice of Intended Repatriation: Kansas State University,
Manhattan, KS
AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and
Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), Kansas State University (K-State) intends to
repatriate certain cultural items that meet the definition of
unassociated funerary 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 July 6, 2026.
ADDRESSES: Send additional, written requests for repatriation of the
cultural items in this notice to Lauren W. Ritterbush, NAGPRA
Coordinator, Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work,
Kansas State University, 204 Waters Hall, 1603 Old Claflin Place,
Manhattan, KS 66505, email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#79150b100d0d1c0b1b39120a0c571c1d0c"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="99f5ebf0ededfcebfbd9f2eaecb7fcfdec">[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 K-
State, 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 has been requested for repatriation.
The two unassociated funerary objects are reconstructed pots. They are
included in the Ralph Bell Collection, which was donated to K-State by
Bell's heirs in 1989. Amateur archaeologist Bell likely collected these
from a Central Plains tradition (Smoky Hill phase, circa 1100-1350 CE)
site in Saline County, KS. A note in the collection appraisals suggests
these were once associated with human remains. The presence of
potentially hazardous substances is unknown.
Determinations
K-State has determined that:
<bullet> The two unassociated funerary objects described in this
notice are reasonably believed to have been placed intentionally with
or near human remains, and are connected, either at the time of death
or later as part of the death rite or ceremony of a Native American
culture according to the Native American traditional knowledge of a
lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization. The
unassociated funerary objects have been identified by a preponderance
of the evidence as related to human remains, specific individuals, or
families, or removed from a specific burial site or burial area of an
individual or individuals with cultural affiliation to an Indian Tribe
or Native Hawaiian organization.
<bullet> There is a connection between the cultural items described
in this notice and the Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma (with the consent of
the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes).
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 July 6, 2026. If competing requests for
repatriation are received, K-State 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. K-State 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.
[[Page 33741]]
Authority: Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act,
25 U.S.C. 3004 and the implementing regulations, 43 CFR 10.9.
Dated: May 29, 2026.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2026-11229 Filed 6-3-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-52-P
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