Cal Poly to Repatriate Stone and Obsidian Points
Published Date: 5/28/2026
Notice
Summary
California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) plans to return three special Native American stone and obsidian points to the tribes they belong to. This repatriation honors Native American culture and will start on or after June 29, 2026. No money changes hands, but this is a big step in respecting and protecting cultural heritage.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Three Native American Points Returned
California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) intends to return three cultural items (two stone projectile points and one obsidian projectile point) that it has determined are objects of cultural patrimony. Cal Poly identifies a connection to the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Mission Indians of the Santa Ynez Reservation, California, and repatriation may occur on or after June 29, 2026. No money will change hands as part of this repatriation.
Who May Request Repatriation
Any lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization may submit a written request for repatriation to Cal Poly by showing, by a preponderance of the evidence, that they are a lineal descendant or culturally affiliated. Requests must be sent to Kent Spiers, Cal Poly, 1 Grand Avenue, San Luis Obispo, CA 93407, or by email to the address listed in the notice, and repatriation may occur on or after June 29, 2026.
Documentation and Competing Requests Rules
Provenience and provenance information is limited: two points were reportedly transferred from a retired faculty member without documentation and one point was reportedly found on a trail in San Luis Obispo County, California. If competing requests for the items are received, Cal Poly must determine the most appropriate requestor prior to repatriation, and joint requests are treated as a single request. The notice also states there are no known hazardous substances used to treat the items.
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