Feds and Cali Uni Team Up to Repatriate Sacred Native Item

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.

2026-12391 — Notice of Intended Repatriation: American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY

The American Museum of Natural History plans to return a special wooden mask to the Oneida Tribe, honoring their cultural heritage. This mask, used in maternity ceremonies, will be repatriated starting July 22, 2026. This respectful handover helps preserve Native traditions and involves careful handling due to past pesticide use on museum items.

2026-12380 — Notice of Intended Repatriation: Wesleyan University, Archaeology & Anthropology Collections, Middletown, CT

Wesleyan University plans to return 13 sacred Native Hawaiian cultural items to the rightful tribes starting July 22, 2026. These special objects, like decorated gourds and stone tools, were once traded between museums but now will go back home. This repatriation respects Native traditions and doesn’t involve any money changes, just honoring heritage.

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.

Previous: 2025-16123 — Notice of Inventory Completion: Office of the State Archaeologist, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA

The Office of the State Archaeologist at the University of Iowa finished checking their collection of Native American human remains. They found a clear connection between these remains and certain Native American tribes. This means the remains might be returned to those tribes soon, following important laws that protect Native heritage.

Next: 2025-16125 — Notice of Intended Repatriation: Kalamazoo Valley Museum, Kalamazoo, MI

The Kalamazoo Valley Museum is planning to return a sacred cultural item to the Native American tribes or Native Hawaiian groups it belongs to, following important laws that protect these treasures. This means the museum is doing the right thing by giving back what’s theirs, with no costs or delays expected. It’s a respectful step to honor Native cultures and their history.