Notice of Intended Repatriation: Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA

Issuing agencies

Abstract

In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco (FAMSF) intends to repatriate certain cultural items that meet the definition of sacred objects and that have a known lineal descendant.

Full Text

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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 203 (Thursday, October 22, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 203 (Thursday, October 22, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Page 66728]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-21544]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[N7563; NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0044023; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]


Notice of Intended Repatriation: Fine Arts Museums of San 
Francisco, San Francisco, 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 Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco 
(FAMSF) intends to repatriate certain cultural items that meet the 
definition of sacred objects and that have a known lineal descendant.

DATES: Repatriation of the cultural items in this notice may occur on 
or after November 23, 2026.

ADDRESSES: Send additional, written requests for repatriation of the 
cultural items in this notice to Christina Hellmich, Fine Arts Museums 
of San Francisco, 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive, San Francisco, CA 
94118, email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#d19f909681839091b7b0bca2b7ffbea3b6"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="80cec1c7d0d2c1c0e6e1edf3e6aeeff2e7">[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 
FAMSF, 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 sacred objects are one niho palaoa (pendant) and 
three lei hulu (feathered lei). The items were a gift to FAMSF in 1977 
from Mrs. Lloyd (Joan) Dowsett Osborne (1916-2014), Kailua, 
Hawai[revaps]i, in memory of her grandmother, Mrs. John M. Dowsett 
(Wilhelmina Kekelokalaninui) (1861-1929).
    Based on the claim and testimony during consultation, the four 
items described in this notice have been identified as sacred objects 
according to the Native American traditional knowledge of a lineal 
descendant. The NAGPRA regulations require deference to the Native 
American traditional knowledge of lineal descendants, Indian Tribes, 
and Native Hawaiian organizations.

Determinations

    The FAMSF has determined that:
    <bullet> The four sacred objects described in this notice are 
specific ceremonial objects needed by a traditional Native American 
religious leader for present-day adherents to practice traditional 
Native American religion, according to the Native American traditional 
knowledge of a lineal descendant.
    <bullet> Allan Dowsett is connected to the cultural items described 
in this notice.

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 November 23, 2026. If competing requests for 
repatriation are received, the FAMSF 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 FAMSF 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: October 15, 2026.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2026-21544 Filed 10-21-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-52-P


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