Maidu Museum Returns Nature's Relics to California Tribes
Published Date: 12/18/2025
Notice
Summary
The Maidu Museum & Historic Site in Roseville, CA, plans to return 14 groups of important cultural items to Native American tribes starting January 20, 2026. These items include stones, plants, animal materials, and more, all connected to local tribes. This repatriation honors Native heritage and follows federal law, with no costs or delays expected for the public.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Items affiliated with United Auburn tribe
The Maidu Museum & Historic Site has determined there is a connection between the described cultural items and the United Auburn Indian Community of the Auburn Rancheria of California. That affiliation is identified in the museum’s determinations under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA).
Maidu Museum will return 14 lots
The Maidu Museum & Historic Site intends to repatriate 14 lots of cultural patrimony (including modified and unmodified stones, plant and faunal materials, shell, anthropogenic soil, and other materials). The repatriation may occur on or after January 20, 2026.
Who may request repatriation
Any lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization may submit a written request for repatriation if they show by a preponderance of the evidence that they are lineal descendants or culturally affiliated. Requests must be sent to Alesha Martinez at the Maidu Museum & Historic Site and repatriation may occur on or after January 20, 2026; competing requests will be resolved by the museum and joint requests count as a single request.
Museum records show no hazardous treatments
The Maidu Museum & Historic Site reports it does not have record of any known potentially hazardous substances used to treat the cultural items described in this notice. This information applies to the 14 lots identified for repatriation.
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