Palmdale Prepares to Return 3,800 Cultural Artifacts to Tribes
Published Date: 5/19/2026
Notice
Summary
The City of Palmdale is getting ready to return nearly 3,800 cultural items to Native American tribes and Native Hawaiian groups starting June 18, 2026. These items, found during road and development projects in Los Angeles County, include artifacts like stone tools, beads, and bone fragments. This repatriation honors cultural heritage and shows Palmdale’s commitment to respecting Native communities.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Repatriation begins June 18, 2026
If you are a lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization, the City of Palmdale intends to repatriate items that have been requested for return. A total of 3,774 cultural items have been requested for repatriation and the City may repatriate them on or after June 18, 2026.
City links items to San Manuel Nation
The City of Palmdale determined that 3,773 objects of cultural patrimony are culturally affiliated with the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation (previously listed as San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, California). This determination identifies a specific tribal connection for those objects.
How to request repatriation
Any lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization may send a written request to the City of Palmdale to seek repatriation by showing by a preponderance of the evidence that they are a lineal descendant or culturally affiliated. Send requests to Brenda Magana, City of Palmdale, 38250 Sierra Highway, Palmdale, CA 93550 or email [email protected]; joint requests count as a single request and the City will decide between competing requests before repatriation.
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