Notice of Intended Repatriation: Autry Museum of the American West, Los Angeles, CA

Issuing agencies

Abstract

In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the Autry Museum of the American West (Southwest Museum of the American Indian Collection) intends to repatriate certain cultural items that meet the definition of unassociated funerary objects, sacred objects, and/or 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 203 (Thursday, October 22, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 203 (Thursday, October 22, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66714-66716]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-21550]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[N7584; NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0044035; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]


Notice of Intended Repatriation: Autry Museum of the American 
West, Los Angeles, 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 Autry Museum of the American West 
(Southwest Museum of the American Indian Collection) intends to 
repatriate certain cultural items that meet the definition of 
unassociated funerary objects, sacred objects, and/or 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 November 23, 2026.

ADDRESSES: Send additional, written requests for repatriation of the 
cultural items in this notice to Karimah Richardson, M.Phil., RPA, 
Associate Curator of Anthropology and Repatriation Supervisor, Autry 
Museum of the American West, 4700 Western Heritage Way, Los Angeles, CA 
90027, email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#7e150c171d161f0c1a0d11103e0a161b1f0b0a0c0750110c19"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="fd968f949e959c8f998e9293bd8995989c88898f84d3928f9a">[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 
Autry Museum of the American West, 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

El Dorado County

    A total of one cultural item has been requested for repatriation. 
The one object of cultural patrimony is a large ground stone. On an 
unknown date, Max Fisher collected the cultural item from an unknown 
site in Placerville, El Dorado County, CA. Mrs. Bertha H. Heise donated 
the cultural material to the Southwest Museum of the American Indian 
(now a part of the Autry Museum of the American West) in 1948.

Sacramento County

    A total of 10 lots of cultural items has been requested for 
repatriation. The 10 lots of unassociated funerary objects are 10 lots 
of lithics. On an unknown date, the cultural material was collected 
from Thistle Mound, Sacramento, Sacramento County, CA by the Sacramento 
Junior College Field Party. College President Jeremiah B. Lillard 
donated the cultural materials to the Southwest Museum in 1935.
    A total of two cultural items has been requested for repatriation. 
The two unassociated funerary objects are two ground stone objects. 
Sometime in 1931, Mr. Henry Gibbs and Sacramento Junior College 
President Mr. Jeremiah B. Lillard, as part of the Sacramento Junior 
College Field Party, collected the cultural material from CA-SAC-122 in 
Sacramento County, CA. College President Jeremiah B. Lillard donated 
the cultural materials to the Southwest Museum in 1935.
    A total of six lots of cultural items have been requested for 
repatriation. The six lots of unassociated funerary objects are six 
lots of worked shell. On an unknown date, an unknown collector 
collected the cultural materials from an unknown mound along the 
American River in Sacramento County, CA. Mr. John George Braecklein 
donated the cultural materials to the Southwest Museum in 1943.
    A total of 26 lots of cultural items has been requested for 
repatriation. The 26 lots of unassociated funerary objects are 18 baked 
clay objects, two lots of lithics, two ground stones, and four lots of 
worked shell. In 1931, the Sacramento Junior College Field Party, Mr. 
Henry Gibbs, and college president Mr. Jeremiah B. Lillard collected 
the cultural materials from CA-SAC-6 in Sacramento County, CA. College 
President Jeremiah B. Lillard donated the cultural materials to the 
Southwest Museum in 1935.
    A total of two cultural items has been requested for repatriation. 
The two unassociated funerary objects are one worked faunal bone 
fragment and one baked clay object. In 1933, Sacramento Junior College 
President Mr. Jeremiah B. Lillard, as part of the Sacramento Junior 
College Field Party, collected the cultural material from CA-SAC-29 in 
Sacramento County, CA. College President Jeremiah B. Lillard donated 
the cultural materials to the Southwest Museum in 1935.
    A total of 29 lots of cultural items has been requested for 
repatriation. The 29 lots of unassociated funerary objects are 14 lots 
of lithics, six lots of worked faunal bones, four lots of worked shell, 
four ground stones, and one lot of worked stone. In 1931, Mr. Henry 
Gibbs, as part of the Sacramento Junior College Field Party, collected 
the cultural materials from CA-SAC-16 in Sacramento County, CA. College 
President Jeremiah B. Lillard donated the cultural materials to the 
Southwest Museum in 1935.
    A total of one lot of cultural items have been requested for 
repatriation. The one lot of unassociated funerary objects is one lot 
of worked shell. On an unknown date, collector and donor Mr. John 
George Braecklein collected the cultural materials from CA-SAC-16 in 
Sacramento County, CA. Mr. Braecklein donated the cultural materials to 
the Southwest Museum in 1947.
    A total of one cultural item has been requested for repatriation. 
The one unassociated funerary object is one worked faunal object. In 
1931, Sacramento Junior College President Mr. Jeremiah B. Lillard, as 
part of the Sacramento Junior College Field Party, collected the 
cultural item from CA-SAC-64 in Sacramento County, CA. College 
President Jeremiah B. Lillard donated the cultural materials to the 
Southwest Museum in 1935.
    A total of one lot of cultural items has been requested for 
repatriation. The one lot of unassociated funerary objects are one lot 
of worked shell. On an unknown date, an unknown collector collected the 
cultural materials from an unknown site in Sacramento, Sacramento 
County, CA. Mr. John George Braecklein donated the cultural materials 
to the Southwest Museum in 1943.
    A total of four lots of cultural items has been requested for 
repatriation. The four lots of unassociated funerary objects are four 
lots of ornaments. On an unknown date, an unknown collector collected 
the cultural materials from an unknown site in Sacramento, Sacramento 
County, CA. Mrs. Louisa W. Hutchinson donated the cultural

[[Page 66715]]

materials to the Southwest Museum in 1947.
    A total of one cultural item has been requested for repatriation. 
The one unassociated funerary object is one sandstone ground stone. On 
an unknown date, an unknown collector collected the cultural item from 
an unknown site in Sacramento, Sacramento County, CA. Mr. Hubert H. 
Weiser donated the cultural material to the Southwest Museum in 1986.
    A total of one cultural item has been requested for repatriation. 
The one unassociated funerary object is one ground stone. In 1933, Mr. 
Robert F. Heizer collected the cultural item from CA-SAC-73 in 
Sacramento County, CA. Mr. Heizer donated the cultural material to the 
Southwest Museum in 1938.
    A total of one cultural item has been requested for repatriation. 
The one unassociated funerary object is one modified faunal bone tool. 
In 1931, Mr. Henry Gibb and the Sacramento Junior College Field Party 
collected the cultural item from CA-SAC-21 in Sacramento County, CA. 
College president Mr. Jeremiah B. Lillard donated the cultural material 
to the Southwest Museum in 1935.
    A total of one lot of cultural items has been requested for 
repatriation. The one lot of unassociated funerary objects are one lot 
of worked shell. On an unknown date, Mr. Harry Brisley collected the 
cultural items from CA-SAC-21 in Sacramento County, CA. Mr. Brisley 
donated the cultural materials to the Southwest Museum in 1947.
    A total of one lot of cultural items has been requested for 
repatriation. The one lot of unassociated funerary objects are one lot 
of worked shells. On an unknown date, an unknown collector collected 
the cultural items from an unknown site near Sutter's Fort in 
Sacramento County, CA. Mr. John George Braecklein donated the cultural 
materials to the Southwest Museum in 1943.
    A total of one cultural item has been requested for repatriation. 
The one unassociated funerary object is one worked faunal bone tool. In 
1933, Sacramento Junior College President Mr. Jeremiah B. Lillard, as 
part of the Sacramento Junior College Field Party, collected the 
cultural item from CA-SAC-28, in Sacramento County, CA. Mr. Lillard 
donated the cultural material to the Southwest Museum in 1935.
    A total of two cultural items have been requested for repatriation. 
The two unassociated funerary objects are two lithics. On an unknown 
date, Mr. Fredrick Hastings Rindge collected the cultural items from an 
unknown site near Sacramento in Sacramento County, CA. Mr. Rindge's 
daughter, Mrs. Rhoda Rindge Adamson, donated the cultural materials to 
the Southwest Museum in 1943.
    A total of two lots of cultural items has been requested for 
repatriation. The two lots of unassociated funerary objects are two 
lots of worked shell. On an unknown date, Mr. Henry Brisley collected 
the cultural items from an unknown site near Sacramento in Sacramento 
County, CA. Mr. Brisley donated the cultural materials to the Southwest 
Museum in 1947.

Yolo County

    A total of one cultural item has been requested for repatriation. 
The one unassociated funerary object is one worked stone. On an unknown 
date, Mr. Harold E. Murdock collected the cultural item from CA-YOL-13 
in Yolo County, CA. Mr. Hubert H. Weiser donated the cultural material 
to the Southwest Museum in 1986.

Sacramento Valley

    A total of one lot of cultural items has been requested for 
repatriation. The one lot of unassociated funerary objects are one lot 
of worked faunal bone. On an unknown date, an unknown collector 
collected the cultural materials from mounds on an unknown site in the 
Sacramento Valley, CA. Mrs. Thomas E. Fleming Jr. donated the cultural 
materials to the Southwest Museum in 1940.
    A total of two lots of cultural items has been requested for 
repatriation. The two lots of unassociated funerary objects are one 
baked clay object and one lot of worked shell. On an unknown date, 
archaeologist Franklin R. Johnston collected the cultural materials 
from unknown sites in the Sacramento Valley, CA. Mr. Johnston donated 
the cultural materials to the Southwest Museum in 1944.
    A total of one lot of cultural items has been requested for 
repatriation. The one lot of unassociated funerary objects are one lot 
of worked shell. On an unknown date, Mr. Harry Brisley collected the 
cultural material from an unknown site in the Sacramento Valley, CA. 
Mr. Brisley donated the cultural materials to the Southwest Museum in 
1947.
    A total of one cultural item has been requested for repatriation. 
The one unassociated funerary object is one sandstone ground stone. On 
an unknown date, Max Fisher collected the mortar fragments from an 
unknown site in the Sacramento Valley, CA. Mrs. Bertha H. Heise donated 
the cultural material to the Southwest Museum in 1948.
    A total of one lot of cultural items has been requested for 
repatriation. The one lot of unassociated funerary objects are one lot 
of ornaments. On an unknown date, Mrs. Gladys Knight Harris collected 
the cultural material from an unknown site in the Sacramento Valley, 
CA.. Harris's son, Mr. Knight Harris, donated the cultural materials to 
the Southwest Museum, now a part of the Autry Museum, in 1983.

Determinations

    The Autry Museum of the American West has determined that:
    <bullet> The 99 lots of unassociated funerary objects described in 
this notice are reasonably believed to have been placed intentionally 
with or near human remains, and are 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 objects have 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> The one object of cultural patrimony described in this 
notice 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), according to the Native American traditional knowledge of 
an Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization.
    <bullet> There is a connection between the cultural items described 
in this notice and the Ione Band of Miwok Indians of California; 
Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians, Shingle Springs Rancheria 
(Verona Tract), California; United Auburn Indian Community of the 
Auburn Rancheria of California; and the Wilton Rancheria, California.

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

[[Page 66716]]

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 Autry Museum of the American West 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 Autry Museum of the 
American West 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: October 15, 2026.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2026-21550 Filed 10-21-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-52-P


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