Sonoma State Plans Return of Dozens of Tribal Cultural Items
Published Date: 11/12/2026
Notice
Summary
Sonoma State University plans to return 52 cultural items like stone tools and groundstone to Native American tribes connected to Sonoma County, California. These items were collected during projects in the 1970s and 1980s and will be repatriated starting December 14, 2026. This means the university is giving back important cultural treasures to the rightful communities, with no cost impact mentioned.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Return of 52 cultural items to tribe
Sonoma State University intends to return 52 cultural items (groundstone, flaked stone tools, and debitage) that it has determined have a cultural affiliation with the Kashia Band of Pomo Indians of the Stewarts Point Rancheria. The items come from Cazadero (10 lots; accessions in 1976 and 1988), Navarro Ranch (29 lots; accessioned in 1974), and CA-SON-1828 near Centennial Mountain (13 lots; accessioned in 1990). Repatriation may occur on or after December 14, 2026.
Who can request repatriation and how
Lineal descendants, Indian Tribes, or Native Hawaiian organizations may submit written requests for repatriation by showing, by a preponderance of the evidence, that they are culturally affiliated; send requests to Kirsten Twork, Sonoma State University, 1801 E Cotati Avenue, Rohnert Park, CA 94928, or the provided email address. If competing requests are received, Sonoma State University must determine the most appropriate requestor, and joint requests are treated as a single request. Repatriation may occur on or after December 14, 2026.
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