# 2026-19470: Ball State Totems Trek Home to Tsimshian Tribes

2026-19470, Notice of Intended Repatriation: Ball State University, Muncie, IN, 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/2026-19470
- As of: 2026-09-30
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Document number: 2026-19470
- Title: Notice of Intended Repatriation: Ball State University, Muncie, IN
- Type: Notice
- Agencies: Interior Department; National Park Service
- Citation: 91 FR 60405
- 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

Ball State Totems Trek Home to Tsimshian Tribes

## Summary

Ball State University plans to return two important cultural items—a model totem carving and a totem carving—to Native American tribes starting October 23, 2026. These items, linked to the Tsimshian and other tribes, hold special cultural meaning and were donated to the university years ago. This repatriation respects Native traditions and involves no safety risks or costs to the public.

## Abstract

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

## Effects PRIA read

- Two totem items to be repatriated: benefit, low. Ball State University intends to return two objects of cultural patrimony — one model totem carving and one totem carving — to affiliated Native groups. The repatriation may occur on or after October 23, 2026.
- Affiliation with Metlakatla Indian Community: benefit, low. Ball State University determined the two items have ongoing cultural importance and identified a connection to the Metlakatla Indian Community, Annette Island Reserve. That affiliation is recorded in the notice as the cultural link for the items.
- How to request repatriation and who may request: benefit, low. Additional written requests for repatriation must be sent to Chyan Gilaspy, Ball State University, Applied Anthropology Laboratories, 2000 W Riverside Avenue, Muncie, IN 47306, email [email protected]. Requests may be submitted by any lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization…
- No known hazardous treatments on items: benefit, low. Ball State University stated it is not aware of the presence of any potentially hazardous substances used to treat either cultural item. The notice therefore indicates no known public safety risk from those items.

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## Sources
- [2026-19470 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/09/23/2026-19470/notice-of-intended-repatriation-ball-state-university-muncie-in)
- [2026-19470 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-09-23/pdf/2026-19470.pdf)

## Related
- [Previous: 2026-19469, Notice of Inventory Completion: California State University, Northridge, Northr…](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-19469)
- [Next: 2026-19471, Notice of Inventory Completion: Museum of Northern Arizona, Flagstaff, AZ](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-19471)
- [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-19470 (as of 2026-09-30).