UC Riverside Sends Pottery and Tools Back to Tribes
Published Date: 12/16/2025
Notice
Summary
The University of California, Riverside plans to return 19 special cultural items to Native American tribes and Native Hawaiian groups starting January 15, 2026. These items include pottery, tools, and other artifacts found during an archaeological dig in Riverside County. This repatriation respects cultural heritage and follows important laws protecting Native American history.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
UCR to Repatriate 19 Cultural Items
The University of California, Riverside intends to return 19 cultural items (including pottery, lithics, botanical materials, shell beads, glass, and other artifacts) to Native American tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations. The university says these objects are culturally affiliated with the Cahuilla Band of Indians and repatriation may occur on or after January 15, 2026.
Who May Request Repatriation
Any lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization not named in the notice may submit a written request for the items by showing, by a preponderance of the evidence, that they are a lineal descendant or culturally affiliated. If competing requests are received, the University of California, Riverside must decide the most appropriate requestor before repatriation; requests for joint repatriation count as a single request, and repatriation may occur on or after January 15, 2026.
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