Navy Museum to Repatriate Sacred Native Objects
Published Date: 7/8/2026
Notice
Summary
The U.S. Navy and the Autry Museum are planning to return important Native American cultural items to the tribes and Native Hawaiian groups they belong to. This includes sacred objects and items linked to ancient burials, with the repatriation starting on or after August 7, 2026. This respectful move helps honor Native heritage and strengthens relationships without any cost impact mentioned.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Repatriation of Native Cultural Items
If you are a member of the named tribes or a lineal descendant, the U.S. Navy and the Autry Museum intend to return 3,017 lots of unassociated funerary objects, 80 lots of sacred objects, and 3 sacred objects/objects of cultural patrimony to affiliated Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations, including the La Jolla Band of Luiseno Indians, Pala Band of Mission Indians, Pauma Band of Luiseno Mission Indians, Pechanga Band of Indians, Rincon Band of Luiseno Indians, Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Mission Indians, and the Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians. Repatriation may occur on or after August 7, 2026.
Who Can Request Repatriation
If you are a lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization not identified in the notice, you may submit a written request for repatriation if you show by a preponderance of the evidence that you are culturally affiliated. Competing requests will be resolved by the Navy and the Autry Museum (joint repatriation requests count as a single request), and repatriation to a requestor may occur on or after August 7, 2026.
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Key Dates
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