Notice of Intended Repatriation: Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History

FR: Interior Department

Published March 27th, 2026

Detected March 27th, 2026

Summary

The National Park Service, on behalf of the Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History, has issued a notice of intended repatriation for a cultural item. This item, a twined water bottle of Chumash origin, is identified as an object of cultural patrimony and is slated for repatriation on or after April 27, 2026.

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What changed

The National Park Service has published a notice detailing the Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History's (LACMNH) intent to repatriate a specific cultural item. The item is a twined water bottle, identified as an object of cultural patrimony, determined to be of Chumash origin based on tribal consultation and museum documentation. The repatriation is scheduled to occur on or after April 27, 2026.

Museums and tribal organizations should be aware of this notice. Any lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization not identified in the notice who believes they have a claim to the cultural item must submit a written request for repatriation to the LACMNH by the specified address. The LACMNH will determine the most appropriate requestor if competing claims arise.

What to do next

Submit written requests for repatriation to the LACMNH by the specified address if claiming lineal descent or cultural affiliation.
Museums should review their collections for items subject to NAGPRA and ensure compliance with repatriation procedures.

Source document (simplified)

Notice

Notice of Intended Repatriation: Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History, Los Angeles, CA

A Notice by the National Park Service on 03/27/2026

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Public Inspection Published Document: 2026-05963 (91 FR 14867) Document Headings ###### Department of the Interior

National Park Service

[N7018; NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0042476; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]

AGENCY:

National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History (LACMNH) 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 April 27, 2026.

ADDRESSES:

Send additional, written requests for repatriation of the cultural item in this notice to Amy E. Gusick, NAGPRA Officer, Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History, 900 Exposition Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90007, email agusick@nhm.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 LACMNH, 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 twined water bottle woven with juncus textilis and coated with asphaltum (A.2562.58-143). The basket was collected by Douglas S. Adams during the 1900s and donated to LACMNH in 1958 as part of a larger donation of baskets originating from the western part of North America. Based on Indigenous knowledge learned during Tribal consultation, museum documentation, and anthropological and archaeological knowledge, LACMNH determined that the basket is of Chumash origin.

Determinations

The LACMNH 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 ( printed page 14868) and the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Mission Indians of the Santa Ynez Reservation, California.

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 April 27, 2026. If competing requests for repatriation are received, the LACMNH 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 LACMNH 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 20, 2026.

Melanie O'Brien,

Manager, National NAGPRA Program.

[FR Doc. 2026-05963 Filed 3-26-26; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4312-52-P

Published Document: 2026-05963 (91 FR 14867)