San Bernardino Museum Repatriates Native Stone Tools
Published Date: 9/9/2026
Notice
Summary
The San Bernardino County Museum plans to return 10 important cultural items, like groundstone and stone tools, to Native American tribes connected to the areas where these items were found. This repatriation can start on or after October 9, 2026, and helps honor Native heritage by giving back what belongs to them. No money changes hands, but the museum is making sure these treasures go home where they belong.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Ten cultural items to be returned
San Bernardino County Museum intends to return 10 cultural items (groundstone, lithics, and ceramics) that it has identified as objects of cultural patrimony to the Morongo Band of Mission Indians, California, and the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation. The repatriation may occur on or after October 9, 2026.
Who may request repatriation
Any lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization not named in the notice may send a written request to the museum to seek repatriation if they show by a preponderance of the evidence that they are a lineal descendant or are culturally affiliated. If competing requests are received, the San Bernardino County Museum must determine the most appropriate requestor; joint requests are treated as a single request.
Items designated as cultural patrimony
San Bernardino County Museum has determined that the 10 items have ongoing historical, traditional, or cultural importance and meet the definition of objects of cultural patrimony under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act. This determination supports returning the items to affiliated tribal groups listed in the notice.
No payment required for repatriation
The museum indicates the cultural items will be returned without any exchange of money. Recipients will receive the items without purchase or payment.
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