Notice2026-19466
Notice of Inventory Completion: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Primary source
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Published
September 23, 2026
Issuing agencies
Interior DepartmentNational Park Service
Abstract
In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the University of Michigan has completed an inventory of human remains (hereinafter referred to as "Ancestral remains" or "Ancestor") and an associated funerary object and has determined that there is a cultural affiliation between the Ancestral remains and associated funerary object and Indian Tribes in this notice.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 183 (Wednesday, September 23, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 183 (Wednesday, September 23, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60401-60402]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-19466]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
[N7500; NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0043794; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]
Notice of Inventory Completion: University of Michigan, Ann
Arbor, MI
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 University of Michigan has completed an
inventory of human remains (hereinafter referred to as ``Ancestral
remains'' or ``Ancestor'') and an associated funerary object and has
determined that there is a cultural affiliation between the Ancestral
remains and associated funerary object and Indian Tribes in this
notice.
DATES: Repatriation of the Ancestral remains and associated funerary
object in this notice may occur on or after October 23, 2026.
ADDRESSES: Send written requests for repatriation of the Ancestral
remains and associated funerary object in this notice to Dr. Ben
Secunda, NAGPRA Office Managing Director, University of Michigan,
Office of Research, Suite G269, Lane Hall, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1274,
email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#67051402041209030627120a0e040f49020312"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="accedfc9cfd9c2c8cdecd9c1c5cfc482c9c8d9">[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
University of Michigan, and additional information on the
determinations in this notice, including the results of consultation,
can be found in its inventory or related
[[Page 60402]]
records. The National Park Service is not responsible for the
determinations in this notice.
Abstract of Information Available
Ancestral remains representing, at least, one individual have been
identified. The one associated funerary object is one lot of glass
beads. The Ancestor and funerary object were removed in 1958 from the
Harland site, Sanilac County, Michigan (20SL4), by the landowner during
excavation activities associated with a gravel pit. Dating for the site
is to the Early Historic A.D. 1610-1670 based on diagnostic artifacts.
The University of Michigan has no record of, nor do its officials
have any knowledge of, any treatment of the Ancestral remains and
associated funerary object with pesticides, preservatives, or other
substances that represent a potential hazard to the collection or to
persons handling the collection.
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 Ancestral remains and associated
funerary object described in this notice.
Determinations
The University of Michigan has determined that:
<bullet> The Ancestral remains described in this notice represent
the physical remains of one individual of Native American ancestry.
<bullet> The one object described in this notice is reasonably
believed to have been placed intentionally with or near individual
Ancestral remains at the time of death or later as part of the death
rite or ceremony.
<bullet> There is a connection between the Ancestral remains and
associated funerary object described in this notice and the Bay Mills
Indian Community, Michigan; Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa
Indians, Michigan; Hannahville Indian Community, Michigan; Keweenaw Bay
Indian Community, Michigan; Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior
Chippewa Indians of Michigan; Little River Band of Ottawa Indians,
Michigan; Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, Michigan; Match-
E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi (previously listed as Match-E-
Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians of Michigan); Miami Tribe
of Oklahoma; Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi, Michigan;
Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians, Michigan and Indiana; Saginaw
Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan; and the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of
Chippewa Indians, Michigan.
Requests for Repatriation
Written requests for repatriation of the Ancestral remains and
associated funerary object 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 identified in this notice
and, if joined to a request from one or more of the Indian Tribes, the
Burt Lake Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians or Grand River Bands of
Ottawa Indians, as non-federally recognized Indian groups.
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 Ancestral remains and associated funerary
object described in this notice to a requestor may occur on or after
October 23, 2026. If competing requests for repatriation are received,
the University of Michigan must determine the most appropriate
requestor prior to repatriation. Requests for joint repatriation of the
Ancestral remains and associated funerary object are considered a
single request and not competing requests. The University of Michigan
is responsible for sending a copy of this notice to the Indian Tribes
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 17, 2026.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2026-19466 Filed 9-22-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-52-P
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