Autry Museum Sets Sights on Returning Native Sacred Objects
Published Date: 5/8/2025
Notice
Summary
The Autry Museum of the American West is planning to return some Native American and Native Hawaiian cultural items that are connected to certain tribes and organizations. This is part of a law that helps protect and respect these important objects. The museum is working to make sure these items go back to the right communities, with no cost to them and within a set timeline.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Return of Unassociated Funerary Objects
If you are one of the Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations named in this notice, the Autry Museum of the American West intends to return cultural items that meet the definition of unassociated funerary objects under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). This repatriation is specifically tied to the tribes and organizations listed in the notice.
Repatriation Provided at No Cost
The museum will return the cultural items to the affiliated tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations at no cost to those recipients. This means the named communities will not be charged fees for the repatriation described in the notice.
Repatriation on a Set Timeline
The Autry Museum intends to complete the repatriation within a specified timeline tied to this notice. The notice indicates the museum is working to return the items to the correct communities according to that timeline.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this federal register document and every other regulation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-04606 — Alaska; Hunting and Trapping in National Preserves
The National Park Service wants to update hunting and trapping rules in Alaska’s national preserves to bring back long-standing practices that support state-authorized wildlife harvests and public access. These changes affect hunters, trappers, and anyone using Alaska park lands, aiming to balance conservation with local traditions. You’ve got until April 9, 2026, to share your thoughts—no new fees or costs are expected.
2026-11850 — Agency Information Collection Activities; National Park Service Concessions Forms
The National Park Service is updating its forms for businesses that run services inside parks, like gift shops and food stands. These changes make it easier for companies to apply and keep things running smoothly, with no extra costs or delays expected. If you work with park concessions, keep an eye out for new form rules coming soon!
2026-11701 — Notice of Intended Repatriation: American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY
The American Museum of Natural History plans to return five Native Hawaiian cultural items, like stone tools, that were taken from burial sites on Oʻahu back in 1938. This repatriation will start on or after July 13, 2026, giving Native Hawaiian groups a chance to reclaim their heritage. No money changes hands, but it’s a big step in respecting and restoring Native Hawaiian history.
2026-11700 — Notice of Inventory Completion: American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY
The American Museum of Natural History has finished checking its collection and found human remains and a bone tool linked to Native American tribes. Starting July 13, 2026, these items can be returned to the tribes that they belong to. If you want to request the return, you can contact the museum directly—just a heads-up, some items might need careful handling due to past pesticide use.
2026-11238 — Notice of Inventory Completion: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
The University of Michigan has finished checking its collection and found Native American ancestral remains from a historic site in Michigan. These remains can be returned to the affiliated tribes starting July 6, 2026. This means the university is ready to give back these important cultural items, following the law, with no costs or risks involved.
2026-11232 — Notice of Intended Repatriation: University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
The University of California, Berkeley plans to return four important cultural items—two baskets and two charmstones—to Native American tribes connected to them. This repatriation will start on or after July 6, 2026, honoring the tribes’ heritage and history. No money changes hands, but the university is making sure these treasures go back to their rightful communities.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-08040 — Notice of Inventory Completion: Autry Museum of the American West, Los Angeles, CA
The Autry Museum of the American West has finished checking its collection and found that some items belong to Native American tribes or Native Hawaiian groups. This means these groups can ask for their cultural objects back. If you’re part of these communities, now’s the time to connect with the museum before any changes happen.
Next: 2025-08042 — Notice of Inventory Completion: Autry Museum of the American West, Los Angeles, CA
The Autry Museum of the American West has finished checking its collection and found that some human remains belong to Native American tribes or Native Hawaiian groups. This means those remains might be returned to their rightful communities. If you’re part of these groups, now’s the time to pay attention and get involved!