Notice of Intended Repatriation: Rhode Island School of Design, Museum of Art, Providence, RI

Issuing agencies

Abstract

In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the Rhode Island School of Design, Museum of Art (RISD), 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

<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 203 (Thursday, October 22, 2026)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 203 (Thursday, October 22, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66733-66734]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-21560]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[N7598; NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0044045; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]


Notice of Intended Repatriation: Rhode Island School of Design, 
Museum of Art, Providence, RI

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and 
Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the Rhode Island School of Design, Museum of 
Art (RISD), 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

[[Page 66734]]

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 Joe Leduc, Museum of Art, Rhode Island 
School of Design, 20 North Main Street, Providence, RI 02903, email 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#f79d9b92938294b7859e8493d9929382"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="cda7a1a8a9b8ae8dbfa4bea9e3a8a9b8">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>, or Mar[iacute]a Fernanda Mancera, Museum of Art, Rhode 
Island School of Design, 20 North Main Street, Providence, RI 02903, 
email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c1acaca0afa2a4b3a081b3a8b2a5efa4a5b4"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f8959599969b9d8a99b88a918b9cd69d9c8d">[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 
RISD 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 11 cultural items have been requested for repatriation. 
The 11 sacred objects/objects of cultural patriomony are kapa, 
traditional barkcloth--non-woven textiles--made by Kanaka Maoli 
(Indigenous Hawaiians). Six of the cultural items were given to RISD, 
by Brown University in 1922. The remaining five were added to the 
collection in the 1990s. One has unclear provenance, one was a gift 
from Mr. Gustav Radeke, and three were given by Lillian M. Potter. 
There is no known treatment of the kapa with potentially hazardous 
substances.

Determinations

    The RISD has determined that:
    <bullet> The 11 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 Hui Iwi Kuamo`o.

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 Museum of Art, Rhode Island School of 
Design 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 Museum of 
Art, Rhode Island School of Design 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 19, 2026.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2026-21560 Filed 10-21-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-52-P


</pre><script data-cfasync="false" src="/cdn-cgi/scripts/5c5dd728/cloudflare-static/email-decode.min.js"></script></body>
</html>