Temple University Returns Native American Remains: Bureaucracy Meets Ancestral Respect

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!

2026-11700 — 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.

2026-11701 — 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.

2026-11238 — 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: 2025-19968 — Notice of Intended Repatriation: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, San Francisco District, San Francisco, CA, and University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in San Francisco and the University of California, Riverside plan to return 33 cultural items, mostly soil and charcoal samples, to Native American tribes and Native Hawaiian groups. These items were collected during a dam project and will be repatriated starting December 17, 2025. This respectful return honors cultural connections and involves careful coordination between agencies and tribes.

Next: 2025-19970 — WBI Energy Transmission, Inc.; Notice of Request for Extension of Time

WBI Energy Transmission is asking for more time—until September 30, 2026—to finish building and start using their Elk Basin-Billings pipeline project in Montana. They've made great progress but ran into weather and supply problems slowing them down. This extension means the project will take longer but helps ensure everything gets done right without extra costs right now.