LA County Hands Back Bought Native Skulls to Cherokee Tribes

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!

2026-11701 — 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.

2026-11700 — 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.

2026-11238 — 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.

2026-11232 — Notice of Intended Repatriation: University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA

The University of California, Berkeley plans to return four important cultural items—two baskets and two charmstones—to Native American tribes connected to them. This repatriation will start on or after July 6, 2026, honoring the tribes’ heritage and history. No money changes hands, but the university is making sure these treasures go back to their rightful communities.

Previous: 2026-00868 — Notice of Intended Repatriation: California State University, Sacramento, Sacramento, CA

California State University, Sacramento plans to return 72 special cultural items, like stones and shells, to Native American tribes connected to them. This repatriation can start on or after February 17, 2026, and involves items found during digs from the 1950s to 1980s in El Dorado County, CA. No money changes hands, but this is a big step in respecting Native heritage and history.

Next: 2026-00870 — Hazardous Materials: Notice of Applications for New Special Permits

The Department of Transportation is reviewing new special permit requests for safely handling hazardous materials during transport. Companies like Space Exploration Technologies want permission to test pressure vessels differently, which could affect trucks, trains, ships, and planes. If you have thoughts, send them by February 17, 2026—this could speed up or change how dangerous goods move, but no new fees are mentioned.