Notice of Intended Repatriation: Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University, Durham, NC

Issuing agencies

Abstract

In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the Nasher Museum of Art at Duke 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

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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 162 (Monday, August 24, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 162 (Monday, August 24, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Page 54760]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-17169]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[N7437; NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0043540; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]


Notice of Intended Repatriation: Nasher Museum of Art at Duke 
University, Durham, NC

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 Nasher Museum of Art at Duke 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 Bryan Hilley, Senior Associate 
Registrar, Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University, 2001 Campus Drive, 
Durham, NC 27705, email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#87e5f5fee6e9a9efeeebebe2fec7e3f2ece2a9e2e3f2"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="8fedfdf6eee1a1e7e6e3e3eaf6cfebfae4eaa1eaebfa">[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 
Nasher Museum of Art at Duke 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 four cultural items have been requested for 
repatriation. The four unassociated funerary objects are three pottery 
vessels, dish shaped (1973.44.9, 1973.44.10, and 1973.44.15) and one 
pottery vessel, bat effigy (1973.44.14). The works were offered to the 
museum in 1973 by Mr. and Mrs. Harry Devine of Macon, GA. A February 9, 
1973, appraisal lists geographic locations: 1973.44.9 ``Mississippi 
County Arkansas), 1973.44.10 (Crittenden County, Arkansas), 1973.44.14 
(Crittenden County, Arkansas) and 1973.44.15 (Cross County, Arkansas).

Determinations

    The Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University has determined that:
    <bullet> The four 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 Quapaw Nation.

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, the Nasher Museum of Art at Duke 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 Nasher Museum of Art at 
Duke 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. 2026-17169 Filed 8-21-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-52-P


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