Notice of Intended Repatriation: Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park, CA

Issuing agencies

Abstract

In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), Sonoma State University 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

<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 162 (Monday, August 24, 2026)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 162 (Monday, August 24, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54756-54757]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-17168]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[N7428; NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0043532; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]


Notice of Intended Repatriation: Sonoma State University, Rohnert 
Park, CA

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and 
Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), Sonoma State University 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 September 23, 2026.

ADDRESSES: Send additional, written requests for repatriation of the 
cultural items in this notice to Kirsten Twork, Sonoma State 
University, 1801 E Cotati Avenue, Rohnert Park, CA 94928, email 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#ee9a99819c8585ae9d818081838fc08b8a9b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f98d8e968b9292b98a9697969498d79c9d8c">[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 Sonoma 
State 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 one lot of cultural items have been requested for 
repatriation. The one lot of unassociated funerary objects are soil 
samples. Other unassociated funerary objects originating from CA-SON-
1918 were repatriated by Sonoma State University following a Notice of 
Intended Repatriation published in the Federal Register on March 17, 
2025 (90 FR 12345). The material in this notice includes soil samples 
located at the University that were not previously acknowledged in the 
original notice. The soil was removed from its context during an 
excavation in 1991 near Timber Cove.

Determinations

    Sonoma State University has determined that:
    <bullet> The one lot 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.

[[Page 54757]]

    <bullet> There is a connection between the cultural items described 
in this notice and the Kashia Band of Pomo Indians of the Stewarts 
Point Rancheria, California.

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 September 23, 2026. If competing requests for 
repatriation are received, Sonoma State 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 Sonoma State University 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: August 17, 2026.
Mariah Soriano,
Acting Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2026-17168 Filed 8-21-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-52-P


</pre><script data-cfasync="false" src="/cdn-cgi/scripts/5c5dd728/cloudflare-static/email-decode.min.js"></script></body>
</html>