# 2026-22974: Berkeley Plans Return of Cemetery Items to Native Descendants

2026-22974, Notice of Intended Repatriation: University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, is a Federal Register notice from Interior Department, National Park Service published 2026-11-12, effective 2026-12-14 (as of 2026-11-12).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-22974
- As of: 2026-11-12
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Document number: 2026-22974
- Title: Notice of Intended Repatriation: University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
- Type: Notice
- Agencies: Interior Department; National Park Service
- Citation: 91 FR 72892
- Published: 2026-11-12
- Effective: 2026-12-14
- Comments close: not stated
- Significant: no
- Touches household money: no
- Regulation identifier numbers: none
- Last updated: 2026-11-12

## In one line

Berkeley Plans Return of Cemetery Items to Native Descendants

## Summary

The University of California, Berkeley plans to return 57 cultural items taken from a family cemetery in Alameda County back to their Native American descendants starting December 14, 2026. These items include beads, a cross, pottery pieces, and more, all stored at the university’s anthropology museum. This repatriation respects Native American heritage and involves careful handling due to past preservation treatments.

## Abstract

In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the University of California, Berkeley intends to repatriate certain cultural items that meet the definition of unassociated funerary objects and that have a known lineal descendant.

## Effects PRIA read

- Return of 57 burial-related items: benefit, low. The University of California, Berkeley intends to return 57 cultural items (including beads, a cross used as a grave marker, fastener, faunal remains, iron, marble, nail, pendant, porcelain fragments, potsherds, shells, and tiles) to known lineal descendants. The repatriation may occur on or after…
- Who may request repatriation: benefit, low. Any lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization not named in the notice may submit a written request for repatriation if they show by a preponderance of the evidence that they are entitled. If competing requests are received, the University of California, Berkeley must determin…
- Potential chemical hazards in collections: cost, low. The museum notes that collections and storage spaces were treated with preservation and pest-control substances, some potentially hazardous, and no records have been found indicating whether chemicals or natural substances were used prior to 1960. Because of this, the items may require careful hand…

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## Sources
- [2026-22974 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/11/12/2026-22974/notice-of-intended-repatriation-university-of-california-berkeley-berkeley-ca)
- [2026-22974 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-11-12/pdf/2026-22974.pdf)

## Related
- [Previous: 2026-22973, Procurement List; Proposed Additions and Deletions](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-22973)
- [Next: 2026-22975, Notice of Intended Repatriation: Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History,…](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-22975)
- [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-22974 (as of 2026-11-12).