# 2026-12380: Wesleyan Returns Decorated Gourds and Stone Tools

2026-12380, Notice of Intended Repatriation: Wesleyan University, Archaeology & Anthropology Collections, Middletown, CT, is a Federal Register notice from Interior Department, National Park Service published 2026-06-22, effective 2026-07-22; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-06-29).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-12380
- As of: 2026-06-29
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Document number: 2026-12380
- Title: Notice of Intended Repatriation: Wesleyan University, Archaeology & Anthropology Collections, Middletown, CT
- Type: Notice
- Agencies: Interior Department; National Park Service
- Citation: 91 FR 37137
- Published: 2026-06-22
- Effective: 2026-07-22
- Comments close: not stated
- Significant: no
- Touches household money: yes
- Regulation identifier numbers: none
- Last updated: 2026-06-29

## In one line

Wesleyan Returns Decorated Gourds and Stone Tools

## Summary

Wesleyan University plans to return 13 sacred Native Hawaiian cultural items to the rightful tribes starting July 22, 2026. These special objects, like decorated gourds and stone tools, were once traded between museums but now will go back home. This repatriation respects Native traditions and doesn’t involve any money changes, just honoring heritage.

## Abstract

In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), Wesleyan University intends to repatriate certain cultural items that meet the definition of sacred objects and that have a cultural affiliation with the Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations in this notice.

## Effects PRIA read

- Return of 13 Native Hawaiian Sacred Items: benefit, medium. Wesleyan University intends to return 13 sacred Native Hawaiian cultural items (including decorated gourds, kapa, adzes, a lei niho palaoa, and a model war canoe) to the culturally affiliated Native Hawaiian organization Hui Iwi Kuamoʻo. The repatriation may occur on or after July 22, 2026, and Wes…
- Contamination Risk from Pesticide Residues: cost, medium. Preliminary testing found potentially hazardous pesticide residues on these objects, including arsenic, mercury, bromine, and/or lead, and records note a 1972–1973 fumigation campaign that used DDT and paradichlorobenzene. Individuals or organizations receiving or handling these objects may need to…

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## Sources
- [2026-12380 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/06/22/2026-12380/notice-of-intended-repatriation-wesleyan-university-archaeology-and-anthropology-collections)
- [2026-12380 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-06-22/pdf/2026-12380.pdf)

## Related
- [Previous: 2026-12379, Notice of Intended Repatriation: Robert S. Peabody Institute of Archaeology, An…](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-12379)
- [Next: 2026-12381, Notice of Inventory Completion: U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land…](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-12381)
- [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-12380 (as of 2026-06-29).