UCSB Tallies Human Remains for Native American Repatriation Under NAGPRA
Published Date: 9/16/2026
Notice
Summary
In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), Repository for Archaeological and Ethnographic Collections 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.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Santa Ynez Band Eligible for Repatriation
The University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) determined that human remains representing at least one Native American individual (Accession 250.025) and 26 associated funerary objects from archaeological site CA-VEN-27B (near Pitas Point, Ventura County) are culturally affiliated with the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Mission Indians. The Santa Ynez Band may submit a written request for repatriation, and repatriation may occur on or after October 16, 2026.
Other Tribes and Descendants Can Request Repatriation
Any lineal descendant or any Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization not identified in the notice may submit a written request for repatriation if they show, by a preponderance of the evidence, that they are a lineal descendant or culturally affiliated. Repatriation to an eligible requestor may occur on or after October 16, 2026.
UCSB Resolves Competing Repatriation Requests
If competing requests for repatriation are received, UCSB Repository for Archaeological and Ethnographic Collections must determine the most appropriate requestor prior to repatriation; requests for joint repatriation are treated as a single request. Any repatriation determined by UCSB may occur on or after October 16, 2026.
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Previous: 2026-18962, Notice of Inventory Completion: U.S. Department of the Army, Collection From the Former Fort Vancouver Army Garrison, Vancouver, WA
In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the Department of the Army 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.
Next: 2026-18964, Notice of Intended Repatriation: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met) intends to repatriate a certain cultural item that meet the definition of a sacred object and that has a known lineal descendant.