Notice2026-18341
Notice of Intended Repatriation: History Colorado. Denver, CO
Primary source
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Published
September 9, 2026
Issuing agencies
Interior DepartmentNational Park Service
Abstract
In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), History Colorado intends to repatriate certain cultural items that meet the definition of sacred objects/ objects of cultural patrimony 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 173 (Wednesday, September 9, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 173 (Wednesday, September 9, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Page 57378]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-18341]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
[N7484; NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0043690; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]
Notice of Intended Repatriation: History Colorado. Denver, CO
AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and
Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), History Colorado intends to repatriate
certain cultural items that meet the definition of sacred objects/
objects of cultural patrimony 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 October 9, 2026.
ADDRESSES: Send additional, written requests for repatriation of the
cultural items in this notice to Chance Ward, History Colorado, 1200
Broadway, Denver, CO 80203, email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#e7a48f86898482c9b0869583a79493869382c98488c99294"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="63200b020d00064d340211072310170217064d000c4d1610">[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
History Colorado 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 20 cultural items have been requested for repatriation.
The 20 sacred objects/objects of cultural patrimony are Eagle bone
whistle (E.1893.16), Eagle bone whistle (E.1989.3), Pipe stem
(2004.24.197), Quilled arm bands (E.983.1), Chekpa pouch, turtle
(2004.24.250), Chekpa pouch, turtle (E.1915.4), Chekpa pouch, lizard
(E.1946.2), Chekpa pouch, lizard (E.1524.1), Beaded pipe bag
(E.1845.1), Beaded pipe bag (1932.2.1), Beaded pipe bag (E.2041.1),
Cradleboard hood (E.2042.1), Rattle (E.1526.1), Horn spoon (E.1525.1),
Leggings (H.294.1), Shirt (E.1007.1), Headdress (MC.Prop.200.B),
Moccasin (E.1992.15), Horse whip/quirt (E.1531.1), and Drawing
(E.1176.1).
Based on available information, these cultural items were
collections items of James R. Walker. Walker was a physician and
ethnographer who served in South Dakota from 1896 to 1914. Walker
documented information concerning Lakota society, religion, and
material culture. Over the course of his work in South Dakota, Walker
collected numerous Lakota cultural materials, which became part of his
broader ethnographic collection. The leggings are from the John D.
Howland collection. John D. Howland (1840-1915) was a Colorado-based
artist and former Captain in the 1st Colorado Cavalry. Available
information indicates that Howland collected Native American cultural
materials during his time in Colorado. All cultural items were taken
out of South Dakota. Available information does not indicate that these
cultural items were tested for or treated with hazardous substances.
However, during their time in museum collections, they may have been
stored in proximity to or alongside other cultural materials that had
been treated with hazardous substances.
Determinations
History Colorado has determined that:
<bullet> The 20 sacred objects/objects of cultural patrimony
described in this notice are, according to the Native American
traditional knowledge of an Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian
organization, specific ceremonial objects needed by a traditional
Native American religious leader for present-day adherents to practice
traditional Native American religion, and have ongoing historical,
traditional, or cultural importance central to the Native American
group, including any constituent sub-group (such as a band, clan,
lineage, ceremonial society, or other subdivision).
<bullet> There is a connection between the cultural items described
in this notice and the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe of the Cheyenne River
Reservation, South Dakota.
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 October 9, 2026. If competing requests for
repatriation are received, History Colorado 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. History Colorado 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: September 1, 2026.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2026-18341 Filed 9-8-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-52-P
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