NAGPRA Inventory Completion: Florida Department of State

FR: Interior Department

Published April 2nd, 2026

Detected April 2nd, 2026

Summary

The National Park Service published a NAGPRA inventory completion notice for the Florida Department of State. The inventory identifies human remains representing at least two individuals of Native American ancestry, with cultural affiliation determined to 15 Indian Tribes including the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas, Seminole Tribe of Florida, and The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. Repatriation of the remains may occur on or after May 4, 2026.

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What changed

The Florida Department of State has completed a NAGPRA inventory identifying human remains of at least two individuals. The remains were transferred to the Department prior to 1972 after being removed from the Johnson site in 1957 by W.C. Lazarus and J.M. Johnson. Cultural affiliation has been determined with 15 Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations listed in the notice.

Regulated entities and affected Indian Tribes should submit written repatriation requests to Tea Kaplan at the Florida Department of State by May 4, 2026. Any Indian Tribe, lineal descendant, or Native Hawaiian organization not specifically listed may submit competing requests by demonstrating cultural affiliation by a preponderance of evidence. If competing requests are received, the Florida Department of State must determine the most appropriate requestor.

What to do next

Submit written repatriation requests to Tea Kaplan at the Florida Department of State
Document and provide evidence of cultural affiliation if submitting a competing request from an unlisted tribe or organization
Ensure all repatriation requests are received before the May 4, 2026 repatriation date

Source document (simplified)

Notice

Notice of Inventory Completion: Florida Department of State, Tallahassee, FL

A Notice by the National Park Service on 04/02/2026

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Public Inspection Published Document: 2026-06360 (91 FR 16737) Document Headings ###### Department of the Interior

National Park Service

[N7048; NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0042512; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]

AGENCY:

National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the Florida Department of State has completed an inventory of human remains and has determined that there is a cultural affiliation between the human remains and Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations in this notice.

DATES:

Repatriation of the human remains in this notice may occur on or after May 4, 2026.

ADDRESSES:

Send written requests for repatriation of the human remains in this notice to Tea Kaplan, Florida Department of State, 2100 W Tennessee Street, Tallahassee, FL 32304, email Tea.Kaplan@dos.fl.gov.

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 Florida Department of State, and additional information on the determinations in this notice, including the results of consultation, can be found in its inventory or related records. The National Park Service is not responsible for the determinations in this notice.

Abstract of Information Available

Human remains representing, at least, two individuals have been identified. No associated funerary objects are present. Ancestral human remains were transferred to the Department of State at an unknown date prior to 1972. These remains were removed from the Johnson site in 1957 by W.C. Lazarus and J.M. Johnson.

Cultural Affiliation

Based on the information available and the results of consultation, cultural affiliation is reasonably identified by the geographical location or acquisition history of the human remains described in this notice.

Determinations

The Florida Department of State has determined that:

The human remains described in this notice represent the physical remains of two individuals of Native American ancestry.
There is a connection between the human remains described in this notice and the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas; Alabama-Quassarte Tribal Town; Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana; Jena Band of Choctaw Indians; Kialegee Tribal Town; Miccosukee Tribe of Indians; Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians; Poarch Band of Creek Indians; Seminole Tribe of Florida; The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma; The Muscogee (Creek) Nation; The Seminole Nation of Oklahoma; Thlopthlocco Tribal Town; and the Tunica-Biloxi Indian Tribe.

Requests for Repatriation

Written requests for repatriation of the human remains in this notice must be sent to the authorized representative identified in this notice under ADDRESSES. Requests for repatriation may be submitted by:

Any one or more of the Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations identified in this notice.
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 an Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization with cultural affiliation.

Repatriation of the human remains described in this notice to a requestor may occur on or after May 4, 2026. If competing requests for repatriation are received, the Florida Department of State must determine the most appropriate requestor prior to repatriation. Requests for joint repatriation of the human remains are considered a single request and not competing requests. The Florida ( printed page 16738) Department of State is responsible for sending a copy of this notice to the Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations identified in this notice.

Authority: Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, 25 U.S.C. 3003, and the implementing regulations, 43 CFR 10.10.

Dated: March 24, 2026.

Melanie O'Brien,

Manager, National NAGPRA Program.

[FR Doc. 2026-06360 Filed 4-1-26; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4312-52-P

Published Document: 2026-06360 (91 FR 16737)