Fowler Museum Plans Return of 216 Tribal Artifacts to Kern County Tribes
Published Date: 2/23/2026
Notice
Summary
The Fowler Museum at UCLA plans to return 216 cultural items to Native American tribes, especially the Tejon Indian Tribe, starting March 25, 2026. These items, like stone tools and shell beads, were taken from tribal lands in Kern County, California, decades ago. This repatriation honors tribal heritage and respects their cultural connections without any cost to the tribes.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Fowler Museum to Return 216 Items
If you are a member of the Tejon Indian Tribe or an affiliated Native group, the Fowler Museum at UCLA intends to return 216 lots of cultural items, including 60 lots of unassociated funerary objects and 156 lots of objects of cultural patrimony. The museum says these items are culturally affiliated with the Tejon Indian Tribe and repatriation may occur on or after March 25, 2026.
Who Can Request Repatriation
Any lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization may submit a written request to repatriate these cultural items if they show by a preponderance of the evidence that they are a lineal descendant or culturally affiliated. Requests may be sent to Allison Fischer-Olson at the Fowler Museum at UCLA (Box 951549, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1549) or via the museum email, and repatriation may occur on or after March 25, 2026; the museum will resolve any competing requests.
Repatriation To Occur Without Cost
The repatriation is described as honoring tribal heritage and will be carried out without any cost to the tribes. The repatriation may occur on or after March 25, 2026.
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Previous: 2026-03557, Notice of Inventory Completion: Fowler Museum at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
The Fowler Museum at UCLA has finished checking a collection of old Native American items found near Buena Vista Lake, California. These items belong to the Tejon Indian Tribe and the Santa Rosa Rancheria Tachi Yokut Tribe. Starting March 25, 2026, the museum can return these cultural treasures to the tribes, honoring their history and heritage.
Next: 2026-03559, Notice of Intended Repatriation: Milwaukee Public Museum, Milwaukee, WI
The Milwaukee Public Museum plans to return four important cultural items—a wooden bow, powder horn, wall basket, and tin pipe—to Native American tribes connected to Stockbridge and Menominee. This repatriation can start on or after March 25, 2026, showing respect for tribal heritage and history. No costs or hazards are expected, and the museum welcomes questions or requests before the return date.