Museum of Ventura County repatriating cultural item to tribes
Summary
The National Park Service published a Notice of Intended Repatriation under NAGPRA for the Museum of Ventura County to repatriate a winnowing basket to the Timbisha Shoshone Tribe. The cultural item, acquired in the 1960s and donated to the museum in 1996, has been determined to be an object of cultural patrimony with ongoing cultural importance to the tribe. Repatriation may occur on or after May 4, 2026.
What changed
The Museum of Ventura County has determined that one winnowing basket meets the definition of an object of cultural patrimony under NAGPRA. The basket was acquired by Valetin Gladstone in the 1960s and donated to the museum in 1996; it is attributed to Susie Wilson of Death Valley and is affiliated with the Timbisha Shoshone Tribe. The museum made the required determinations that the item has ongoing historical, traditional, or cultural importance central to the Native American group and that there is a cultural connection to the tribe.\n\nLineal descendants, Indian Tribes, or Native Hawaiian organizations not identified in the notice have 30 days (until May 4, 2026) to submit written requests for repatriation, demonstrating by a preponderance of evidence that they are a lineal descendant or culturally affiliated party. If no competing requests are received, the museum will proceed with repatriation to the Timbisha Shoshone Tribe. The museum is responsible for sending a copy of this notice to the Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations.
What to do next
- Timbisha Shoshone Tribe should confirm receipt of this notice and verify their affiliation documentation
- Any competing claimants must submit written repatriation requests by May 4, 2026 with evidence of lineal descent or cultural affiliation
- Museum of Ventura County should await the 30-day response period before proceeding with repatriation
Source document (simplified)
Notice
Notice of Intended Repatriation: Museum of Ventura County, Ventura, CA
A Notice by the National Park Service on 04/02/2026
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- Public Inspection Published Document: 2026-06340 (91 FR 16735) Document Headings ###### Department of the Interior
National Park Service
- [N7030; NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0042495; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]
AGENCY:
National Park Service, Interior.
ACTION:
Notice.
SUMMARY:
In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the Museum of Ventura County intends to repatriate a certain cultural item that meets the definition of an object of cultural patrimony and that has a cultural affiliation with the Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations in this notice.
DATES:
Repatriation of the cultural item in this notice may occur on or after May 4, 2026.
ADDRESSES:
Send additional, written requests for repatriation of the cultural item in this notice to Deya Terrafranca, Museum of Ventura County, 100 E Main Street, Ventura, CA 93001, email dterrafranca@venturamuseum.org.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
This notice is published as part of the National Park Service's administrative responsibilities under NAGPRA. The determinations in this notice are the sole responsibility of the Museum of Ventura County, and additional information on the determinations in this notice, including the results of consultation, can be found in the summary or related records. The National Park Service is not responsible for the determinations in this notice.
Abstract of Information Available
A total of one cultural item has been requested for repatriation. The one object of cultural patrimony is a winnowing basket. It was acquired by Valetin Gladstone from an unknown private museum near Ridgecrest, California in the 1960s before it was donated to the Museum of Ventura County in 1996. The basket is attributed to the maker, Susie Wilson of Death Valley, and is affiliated with the Timbisha Shoshone Tribe. Museum of Ventura County has no records that would indicate contact with any known hazardous substances.
Determinations
The Museum of Ventura County has determined that:
- The one object of cultural patrimony described in this notice has ongoing historical, traditional, or cultural importance central to the Native American group, including any constituent sub-group (such as a band, clan, lineage, ceremonial society, or other subdivision), according to the Native American traditional knowledge of an Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization.
- There is a connection between the cultural item described in this notice and the Timbisha Shoshone Tribe.
Requests for Repatriation
Additional, written requests for repatriation of the cultural item in this notice must be sent to the authorized representative identified in this notice under ADDRESSES. Requests for repatriation may be submitted by any lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization not identified in this notice who shows, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the requestor is a lineal descendant or a culturally affiliated Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization.
Repatriation of the cultural item in this notice to a requestor may occur on or after May 4, 2026. If competing requests for repatriation are received, the Museum of Ventura County must determine the most appropriate requestor prior to repatriation. Requests for joint repatriation of the cultural item are considered a single request and not competing requests. The Museum of Ventura County is responsible for sending a copy of this notice to the Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations identified in this notice and to any other consulting parties.
Authority: Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, 25 U.S.C. 3004 and the implementing regulations, 43 CFR 10.9.
Dated: March 24, 2026.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2026-06340 Filed 4-1-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-52-P
Published Document: 2026-06340 (91 FR 16735)
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