Energy Dept's oil reserves office returns ancient tools to California tribes
Published Date: 3/16/2026
Notice
Summary
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Petroleum Reserves plans to return 23 boxes of Native American cultural items to the Tejon, Tule River, and Santa Rosa Rancheria Tachi Yokut Tribes. These items, mostly stone tools and beads from the Elk Hills Oil Field in California, will be repatriated starting April 15, 2026. No human remains are involved, and this move respects tribal heritage while following important legal steps.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Return of 23 Boxes to Tribes
The U.S. Department of Energy plans to repatriate 23 boxes of Native American cultural items to the Tejon, Tule River, and Santa Rosa Rancheria Tachi Yokut Tribes. The repatriation may occur on or after April 15, 2026 and the materials are primarily stone tools, debitage, shell beads, and faunal remains from the Elk Hills Oil Field in California.
NAGPRA Determinations Enable Repatriation
The Department of Energy has determined the items meet NAGPRA definitions as unassociated funerary objects, sacred objects, and objects of cultural patrimony, and found a connection to the Tejon Indian Tribe. Those legal determinations support returning the items under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act.
How Others May Request Repatriation
Any lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization may submit a written request for these cultural items by showing a preponderance of the evidence; requests must be sent to Dr. Michael G. Elliott at the U.S. Department of Energy address listed in the notice. If competing requests are received, the Department of Energy will determine the most appropriate requestor; joint repatriation requests are treated as a single request, and repatriation may occur on or after April 15, 2026.
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