# 2026-19468: MSU Returns 37 Sacred Native Items to Michigan Tribes

2026-19468, Notice of Intended Repatriation: Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, is a Federal Register notice from Interior Department, National Park Service published 2026-09-23, effective 2026-10-23 (as of 2026-09-30).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-19468
- As of: 2026-09-30
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Document number: 2026-19468
- Title: Notice of Intended Repatriation: Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
- Type: Notice
- Agencies: Interior Department; National Park Service
- Citation: 91 FR 60398
- Published: 2026-09-23
- Effective: 2026-10-23
- Comments close: not stated
- Significant: no
- Touches household money: no
- Regulation identifier numbers: none
- Last updated: 2026-09-30

## In one line

MSU Returns 37 Sacred Native Items to Michigan Tribes

## Summary

Michigan State University plans to return 37 Native American cultural items, including sacred objects and funerary items, to the affiliated tribes starting October 23, 2026. These items come from several counties in Michigan and include artifacts like pipes, axes, and stone tools. This repatriation respects Native American heritage and involves no cost to the public.

## Abstract

In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), Michigan State University intends to repatriate certain cultural items that meet the definition of unassociated funerary objects, sacred objects, and/or objects of cultural patrimony and that have a cultural affiliation with the Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations in this notice.

## Effects PRIA read

- University to Return 37 Native Items: benefit, high. Michigan State University intends to return 37 Native American cultural items—1 unassociated funerary object and 36 sacred objects/objects of cultural patrimony—to affiliated tribes. The repatriation may occur on or after October 23, 2026, and Michigan State University has identified a cultural con…
- Who Can Request Repatriation: benefit, medium. Any lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization not identified in the notice may submit a written request for repatriation to Michigan State University if they show by a preponderance of the evidence that they are a lineal descendant or are culturally affiliated. Written reques…
- Competing Requests and University Duties: benefit, low. If competing requests for the same items are received, Michigan State University must determine the most appropriate requestor before repatriation; requests for joint repatriation count as a single request. Michigan State University is also responsible for sending a copy of this notice to the India…
- Objects Not Treated With Hazardous Substances: benefit, low. Michigan State University reports that no known hazardous substances have been used to treat any of the 37 cultural items. This means recipients are being notified that the items were not treated with hazardous chemicals according to the notice.

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## Sources
- [2026-19468 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/09/23/2026-19468/notice-of-intended-repatriation-michigan-state-university-east-lansing-mi)
- [2026-19468 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-09-23/pdf/2026-19468.pdf)

## Related
- [Previous: 2026-19467, Notice of Intended Repatriation: Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond, VA](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-19467)
- [Next: 2026-19469, Notice of Inventory Completion: California State University, Northridge, Northr…](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-19469)
- [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-19468 (as of 2026-09-30).