Notice2026-19991
Notice of Intended Repatriation: University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
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 30, 2026
Issuing agencies
Interior DepartmentNational Park Service
Abstract
In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the University of California, Berkeley intends to repatriate a certain cultural item that meets the definition of an unassociated funerary object and that has a known lineal descendant.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 188 (Wednesday, September 30, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 188 (Wednesday, September 30, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Page 61868]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-19991]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
[N7527; NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0043890; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]
Notice of Intended Repatriation: University of California,
Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
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 California, Berkeley
intends to repatriate a certain cultural item that meets the definition
of an unassociated funerary object and that has a known lineal
descendant.
DATES: Repatriation of the cultural item in this notice may occur on or
after October 30, 2026.
ADDRESSES: Send additional, written requests for repatriation of the
cultural item in this notice to Alexandra Lucas, Government and
Community Relations, Office of the Chancellor. University of
California, Berkeley, 200 California Hall, Berkeley, CA 94720, email
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#d8b6b9bfa8aab9f5adbbba98babdaab3bdb4bda1f6bdbcad"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="acc2cdcbdcdecd81d9cfceeccec9dec7c9c0c9d582c9c8d9">[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 California, Berkeley, 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 unassociated funerary object has been requested for
repatriation. In 1940, the University of California, Berkeley obtained
an unassociated funerary object, a basket start, from Cahuilla Valley,
Riverside County, California. The basket start was appropriated by the
University that same year.
Collections and collection spaces at the Phoebe A Hearst Museum of
Anthropology were treated with substances for preservation and pest
control, some potentially hazardous. No records have been found to date
at the Museum to indicate whether or not chemicals or natural
substances were used prior to 1960.
Determinations
The University of California, Berkeley has determined that:
<bullet> The one unassociated funerary object described in this
notice is reasonably believed to have been placed intentionally with or
near human remains, and is 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 object has 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> A known lineal descendant is connected to the cultural
item described in this notice.
Requests for Repatriation
Additional, written requests for repatriation of the cultural item
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 item in this notice to a requestor may
occur on or after October 30, 2026. If competing requests for
repatriation are received, the University of California, Berkeley must
determine the most appropriate requestor prior to repatriation.
Requests for joint repatriation of the cultural item are considered a
single request and not competing requests. The University of
California, Berkeley is responsible for sending a copy of this notice
to all requestors and 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 24, 2026.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2026-19991 Filed 9-29-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-52-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on September 30, 2026.
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