Parks Dept Returns Shells, Bones to Rancheria Tribe
Published Date: 9/23/2026
Notice
Summary
The California Department of Parks and Recreation plans to return two special cultural items—shell and animal bones—collected in Sacramento back to the Wilton Rancheria tribe. This repatriation honors the tribe’s deep historical and cultural ties to these objects. The return can start on or after October 23, 2026, with no costs mentioned, just respect and recognition.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Wilton Rancheria to Receive Two Cultural Items
The California Department of Parks and Recreation has determined that two lots of objects of cultural patrimony (shell and faunal bone) collected in 1982 from site CA-SAC-395 in Sacramento have a cultural affiliation with the Wilton Rancheria. These two lots are intended for repatriation to the Wilton Rancheria, and repatriation may occur on or after October 23, 2026.
Who Can Request Repatriation and How
Any lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization not named in the notice may submit a written request for repatriation to Dr. Leslie L. Hartzell, NAGPRA Coordinator, California Department of Parks and Recreation, P.O. Box 942896, Sacramento, CA 94296-0001, or by email to [email protected]. Requestors must show by a preponderance of the evidence that they are a lineal descendant or culturally affiliated. If competing requests are received, the California Department of Parks and Recreation will decide the most appropriate requestor; joint requests are treated as a single request. Repatriation may occur on or after October 23, 2026.
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