UC Davis Plans Return of Sacred Baskets to Northern California Tribes
Published Date: 12/17/2025
Notice
Summary
UC Davis plans to return six sacred baskets to Native American tribes and Native Hawaiian groups starting January 16, 2026. These special items come from Humboldt, Mendocino, and Trinity Counties and have deep cultural meaning. No big costs or risks are expected, but the university is ready to handle any questions about the process.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Six sacred baskets to be returned
The University of California, Davis intends to repatriate six sacred baskets to affiliated Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations. Repatriation may occur on or after January 16, 2026; the baskets originate from Humboldt, Mendocino, and Trinity Counties in California and have a cultural affiliation with the Bear River Band of the Rohnerville Rancheria, California.
Who may request repatriation
Any lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization may submit a written request to UC Davis to repatriate the items by showing, by a preponderance of the evidence, that they are a lineal descendant or culturally affiliated. UC Davis will accept requests sent to the named representative and must decide the most appropriate requestor if competing requests are received; joint requests are treated as a single request.
Possible pesticide treatment on some baskets
Museum records indicate that approximately one-third of the Merriam collection was treated with Berlou, a dry mothproofing insecticide, in 1964, and it is unknown which of the six baskets (CHM-46, CHM-47, CHM-48, CHM-49, CHM-97, CHM-98) were treated. UC Davis states it is unaware of other hazardous treatments; handlers and recipients should be aware of the possible Berlou treatment when receiving or handling the objects.
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