Sonoma State Preps Sacred Items for Tribal Handover
Published Date: 12/19/2025
Notice
Summary
Sonoma State University plans to return 205 cultural items, mostly obsidian artifacts, to Native American tribes connected to Placer County, California. This repatriation will start on or after January 20, 2026, honoring the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act. The university is making sure these important cultural treasures go back to their rightful communities, with no cost impacts mentioned.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
University to Return 205 Obsidian Items
Sonoma State University intends to return 205 cultural items (mostly obsidian) to Native American groups connected to Placer County, California. The university found a reasonable connection between these items and the United Auburn Indian Community of the Auburn Rancheria of California, and repatriation may occur on or after January 20, 2026.
Who Can Request Repatriation
Any lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization may submit a written request for repatriation by showing, by a preponderance of the evidence, that they are a lineal descendant or culturally affiliated. If competing requests arrive, Sonoma State University will determine the most appropriate requestor; joint requests count as a single request. Repatriation may occur on or after January 20, 2026.
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