Stanford Again Seeks to Return Tribal Patrimony Object
Published Date: 8/3/2026
Notice
Summary
In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), Stanford University intends to repatriate a certain cultural item that meets the definition of an object of cultural patrimony and that has a cultural affiliation with the Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations in this notice.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Stone pestle flagged for return
Stanford University has identified one object — a stone pestle donated by a Mrs. R.D. McFarland — as an object of cultural patrimony affiliated with the Wilton Rancheria. Stanford intends to repatriate that pestle and repatriation may occur on or after September 2, 2026. Stanford also reports no record that the pestle was treated with any hazardous substance.
Who may request repatriation
Any lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization not identified in the notice may submit a written request for repatriation to Laura Jones at Stanford University (477 Oak Road, Stanford, CA 94305, email [email protected]) by showing by a preponderance of the evidence that they are a lineal descendant or culturally affiliated organization. Repatriation may occur on or after September 2, 2026.
Competing and joint request rules
If Stanford receives competing requests for the same cultural item, Stanford must determine the most appropriate requestor before repatriation; requests submitted jointly are treated as a single request. Stanford will send a copy of this notice to the Indian Tribes, Native Hawaiian organizations identified in the notice, and other consulting parties.
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Key Dates
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Previous: 2026-15698, Notice of Inventory Completion: St. Joseph Museums, Inc., St. Joseph, MO
In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the St. Joseph Museums, Inc has completed an inventory of human remains and associated funerary objects and has determined that there is a cultural affiliation between the human remains and associated funerary objects and Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations in this notice.
Next: 2026-15700, Notice of Intended Repatriation: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), Stanford University intends to repatriate a certain cultural item that meets the definition of an object of cultural patrimony and that has a cultural affiliation with the Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations in this notice.