California Museum Plans Return of Native American Cultural Heritage
Published Date: 8/14/2025
Notice
Summary
The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History is planning to return some Native American cultural items to the tribes and Native Hawaiian groups they belong to. This move follows a law that protects Native American graves and cultural heritage. The repatriation helps honor these communities and happens without any cost to the public.
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Museum to Return Native Cultural Items
The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History will return certain cultural items identified as unassociated funerary objects to Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). The repatriation is intended to give those items back to the affiliated tribes and Native Hawaiian groups named in the notice and will occur without cost to the public.
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Previous: 2025-15404 — Notice of Intended Repatriation: California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, CA
The California Academy of Sciences is planning to return special cultural items to Native American tribes and Native Hawaiian groups. This move follows a law that protects Native heritage and respects their history. The repatriation will happen soon, showing respect and care without any cost impact mentioned.
Next: 2025-15406 — Notice of Proposed Transfer or Reinterment: Office of the State Archaeologist Bioarchaeology Program, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
The Office of the State Archaeologist Bioarchaeology Program at the University of Iowa plans to respectfully reburial Native American human remains and related items. This follows rules from the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act and aims to honor cultural traditions. The process is set after a July 2024 inventory, with no costs or delays expected for the public.