Great Smoky Mountains Park to Repatriate Native Cultural Items
Published Date: 5/8/2025
Notice
Summary
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park plans to return certain Native American cultural items to their rightful tribes, following a law that protects Native heritage. This affects Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian groups connected to these items. The repatriation process is starting soon, with no costs to the public, ensuring respect and care for these important cultural treasures.
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Repatriation of Native cultural items
If you are a member of an Indian Tribe or a Native Hawaiian organization identified in this notice, the National Park Service intends to return certain cultural items that meet the definition of unassociated funerary objects under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). The notice says the repatriation process is starting soon and will occur with no cost to the public.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile 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.
2026-20013, Agency Information Collection Activities; Archeology Permit Applications and Reports
The National Park Service wants to keep collecting info for archeology permits and reports, making sure the process stays smooth and clear. This affects archeologists and anyone applying for permits to dig or study artifacts in parks. They’re asking for comments by October 30, 2026, but no changes to fees or big costs are planned.
2026-20015, Agency Information Collection Activities; National Park Service Concessions Forms
The National Park Service is asking to keep using their current forms for park concessions, like shops and services, without changes. This affects businesses working with the parks and helps reduce paperwork hassle. You’ve got until October 30, 2026, to share your thoughts—no fees or new costs involved!
2026-19996, Notice of Intended Repatriation: California State University, Sacramento, Sacramento, CA
California State University, Sacramento plans to return over 8,500 cultural items to Native American tribes connected to northern Tehama County. These items include stones, bones, pigments, and historic materials, and the repatriation can start on or after October 30, 2026. This move respects Native heritage and involves no cost to the public but honors important cultural ties.
2026-19002, National Park Service Alaska Region Subsistence Resource Commission Program; Notice of Public Meetings
The National Park Service is holding meetings for Alaska's Subsistence Resource Commissions to discuss local hunting, fishing, and gathering rules. These meetings affect residents who rely on park resources and will happen mostly in October and November 2026, with one in February 2027. No big costs are expected, but these talks help keep subsistence traditions alive and fair.
2026-18306, Official Trail Marker for Butterfield Overland National Historic Trail
This notice issues the official trail marker insignia for the Butterfield Overland National Historic Trail in the National Trails System. The original graphic image for Butterfield Overland National Historic Trail was developed in 2026 with the completion of the Butterfield Overland National Historic Trail Comprehensive Plan. The National Park Service and related agencies have officially adopted and use this insignia to help mark all designated alignments of the Butterfield Overland National Historic Trail.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-08043, Notice of Inventory Completion: California Department of Transportation, Oakland, CA
Caltrans has finished checking and listing Native American human remains and related items they found. They’ve confirmed these remains belong to certain Native tribes or Native Hawaiian groups. This means the items will be returned to the right communities soon, with no costs or delays expected.
Next: 2025-08045, Notice of Inventory Completion: Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
The Peabody Museum at Harvard has finished checking its collection of Native American and Native Hawaiian human remains and related items. They found a clear connection between these remains and specific tribes and organizations. This means the museum is ready to return these items to the rightful communities, following important laws, with no costs or delays mentioned.