Cal State Unloads 1,251 Native Artifacts to Tribes
Published Date: 9/23/2026
Notice
Summary
California State University, Stanislaus is planning to return 1,251 cultural items to Native American tribes connected to these objects. These items were collected from archaeological sites in Calaveras County between 1979 and 1996. The repatriation can start on or after October 23, 2026, with no cost impact mentioned.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
1,251 Items Scheduled for Return
If you are a member of a potentially affiliated tribe or a lineal descendant, California State University, Stanislaus intends to return a total of 1,251 cultural items. Repatriation may begin on or after October 23, 2026.
Items Classified as Patrimony and Funerary
The university determined that 1,078 of the items are cultural patrimony (objects with ongoing cultural importance) and 173 are unassociated funerary objects (believed to have been placed with or near human remains).
Four Tribes Identified as Affiliated
The notice identifies a cultural affiliation between the items and these groups: California Valley Miwok Tribe (California); Chicken Ranch Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians of California; Ione Band of Miwok Indians of California; and the Tuolumne Band of Me-Wuk Indians of the Tuolumne Rancheria of California.
How Other Claimants Can Request Items
Any lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization not named may submit a written request showing by a preponderance of the evidence that they are culturally affiliated; competing requests must be resolved before repatriation, and joint requests count as a single request. Send requests to the CSU Stanislaus NAGPRA/CalNAGPRA Repatriation Coordinator at the address listed in the notice.
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