Notice2026-18330
Notice of Inventory Completion: Ball State University, Muncie, IN
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
September 9, 2026
Issuing agencies
Interior DepartmentNational Park Service
Abstract
In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the Ball State University has completed an inventory of human remains and has determined that there is a cultural affiliation between the human remains and Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations in this notice.
Full Text
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 173 (Wednesday, September 9, 2026)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 173 (Wednesday, September 9, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Page 57366]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-18330]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
[N7461; NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0043667; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]
Notice of Inventory Completion: Ball State University, Muncie, IN
AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and
Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the Ball State University has completed an
inventory of human remains and has determined that there is a cultural
affiliation between the human remains and Indian Tribes or Native
Hawaiian organizations in this notice.
DATES: Repatriation of the human remains in this notice may occur on or
after October 9, 2026.
ADDRESSES: Send written requests for repatriation of the human remains
in this notice to Chyan Gilaspy, Ball State University, Applied
Anthropology Laboratories, 2000 W Riverside Avenue, Muncie, IN 47306,
email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#703e3137202231301203055e151405"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="347a7573646675745647411a515041">[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
Ball State University, and additional information on the determinations
in this notice, including the results of consultation, can be found in
its inventory or related records. The National Park Service is not
responsible for the determinations in this notice.
Abstract of Information Available
Human remains representing, at least, one individual has been
identified. No associated funerary objects are present. Acquired
through unknown means by William Henry Shrawder prior to 1938,
reportedly from an unknown location in Florida. In 1938, Shrawder
Collection was purchased for the Ball State Teachers College. The
collection was formally cataloged in 1953 and the catalog states
``Indian skull from Florida'' with no additional provenance or
provenience information. Ball State University is not aware of the
presence of any potentially hazardous substances used to treat any of
the human remains.
Cultural Affiliation
Based on the information available and the results of consultation,
cultural affiliation is reasonably identified by the geographical
location or acquisition history of the human remains described in this
notice.
Determinations
The Ball State University has determined that:
<bullet> The human remains described in this notice represent the
physical remains of one individual of Native American ancestry.
<bullet> There is a connection between the human remains described
in this notice and the Absentee-Shawnee Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma;
Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas; Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma;
Miccosukee Tribe of Indians; Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians;
Poarch Band of Creek Indians; Seminole Tribe of Florida; Shawnee Tribe;
The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma; The Muscogee (Creek) Nation; The
Seminole Nation of Oklahoma; and the Thlopthlocco Tribal Town.
Requests for Repatriation
Written requests for repatriation of the human remains in this
notice must be sent to the authorized representative identified in this
notice under ADDRESSES. Requests for repatriation may be submitted by:
1. Any one or more of the Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian
organizations identified in this notice.
2. 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 an Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization with
cultural affiliation.
Repatriation of the human remains described in this notice to a
requestor may occur on or after October 9, 2026. If competing requests
for repatriation are received, Ball State University must determine the
most appropriate requestor prior to repatriation. Requests for joint
repatriation of the human remains are considered a single request and
not competing requests. Ball State University is responsible for
sending a copy of this notice to the Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian
organizations identified in this notice and any other consulting
parties.
Authority: Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act,
25 U.S.C. 3003, and the implementing regulations, 43 CFR 10.10.
Dated: September 1, 2026.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2026-18330 Filed 9-8-26; 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>Indexed from Federal Register on September 9, 2026.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.