Indianapolis Art Museum Set to Return Native American Cultural Items

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.

2026-11231 — Notice of Intended Repatriation: University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA

The University of California, Berkeley plans to return 24 important Native American cultural items, like beans and corn seeds, to the tribes they belong to starting July 6, 2026. These items were collected in the 1940s and hold special cultural meaning. This repatriation respects Native traditions and helps heal history without any cost to the public.

Previous: 2025-22901 — Notice of Intended Disposition: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Pu'uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park, Hōnaunau, HI

The National Park Service at Pu'uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park found a single Native Hawaiian human bone after a big surf event in January 2025. They plan to return these remains to the right Native Hawaiian groups starting January 15, 2026, unless no one claims them by December 16, 2026. This is all part of respecting Native Hawaiian heritage and following important laws.

Next: 2025-22903 — Notice of Intended Repatriation: Indianapolis Museum of Art, Inc. D.B.A. Newfields, Indianapolis, IN

The Indianapolis Museum of Art, also known as Newfields, plans to return a special basket made by the Yokuts people to the Tejon Indian Tribe. This basket, created between 1870 and 1910, holds deep cultural meaning and will be repatriated starting January 15, 2026. No money changes hands, but this is a big step in respecting Native American heritage.