UC Riverside Catalogs Native Remains for Repatriation Under NAGPRA
Published Date: 9/9/2026
Notice
Summary
In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the University of California has completed an inventory of human remains and has determined that there is a cultural affiliation between the human remains and Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations in this notice.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
University links remains to two tribes
The University of California Riverside determined the human remains represent at least one Native American individual (about 2,150 years old) and identified a cultural affiliation with the Morongo Band of Mission Indians and the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Mission Indians. The remains were recovered in 1985 and are catalogued as Accession # UA-2022-001, Catalogue # 6111 (UCR-2125).
Repatriation allowed starting October 9, 2026
Repatriation of the human remains described in this notice may occur on or after October 9, 2026. The Federal Register notice was published September 9, 2026, and sets that October 9, 2026 date as the earliest date for repatriation to proceed.
Who may request repatriation and how
Written requests for repatriation must be sent to Michael Chavez, Repatriation Coordinator, University of California Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, CA 92521, or by the email listed in the notice. Requests may be submitted by the Indian Tribes named in the notice, or by any lineal descendant or other Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization that shows by a preponderance of the evidence cultural affiliation.
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