# 2026-12385: Museum Plans Return of Net Sinker and Comb

2026-12385, Notice of Intended Repatriation: Kalamazoo Valley Museum, Kalamazoo, MI, is a Federal Register notice from Interior Department, National Park Service published 2026-06-22, effective 2026-07-22 (as of 2026-06-29).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-12385
- As of: 2026-06-29
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Document number: 2026-12385
- Title: Notice of Intended Repatriation: Kalamazoo Valley Museum, Kalamazoo, MI
- Type: Notice
- Agencies: Interior Department; National Park Service
- Citation: 91 FR 37126
- Published: 2026-06-22
- Effective: 2026-07-22
- Comments close: not stated
- Significant: no
- Touches household money: no
- Regulation identifier numbers: none
- Last updated: 2026-06-29

## In one line

Museum Plans Return of Net Sinker and Comb

## Summary

The Kalamazoo Valley Museum in Michigan plans to return two important Native American cultural items—a net sinker and a comb—to their rightful tribes starting July 22, 2026. These items hold special cultural meaning and were collected decades ago. This repatriation honors Native American heritage and respects their traditions without any cost to the public.

## Abstract

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

## Effects PRIA read

- Two cultural items to be returned: benefit, low. The Kalamazoo Valley Museum plans to return two objects of cultural patrimony — a net sinker and a comb — that are affiliated with the Native Village of Barrow Inupiat Traditional Government. The museum intends that repatriation may occur on or after July 22, 2026.
- Who may request repatriation: benefit, low. Any lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization may submit a written request for repatriation if they show by a preponderance of the evidence that they are a lineal descendant or are culturally affiliated. Requests must be sent to the museum's Collections Manager as listed in t…
- Competing requests and joint claims rule: mixed, low. If competing requests for the items are received, the Kalamazoo Valley Museum must determine the most appropriate requestor before repatriation. Requests for joint repatriation are treated as a single request and not competing requests.
- Repatriation at no cost to public: benefit, low. The notice states the repatriation honors Native American heritage and will occur without any cost to the public. Repatriation actions under this notice may occur on or after July 22, 2026.

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## Sources
- [2026-12385 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/06/22/2026-12385/notice-of-intended-repatriation-kalamazoo-valley-museum-kalamazoo-mi)
- [2026-12385 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-06-22/pdf/2026-12385.pdf)

## Related
- [Previous: 2026-12384, Notice of Intended Repatriation: Hudson Museum, University of Maine, Orono, ME](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-12384)
- [Next: 2026-12386, Notice of Intended Repatriation: Fort Lewis College, Durango, CO](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-12386)
- [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-12385 (as of 2026-06-29).