NPS Notice of Intended Repatriation: Missouri Department of Natural Resources

Notice

Notice of Intended Repatriation: Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Jefferson City, MO

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

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• Public Inspection Published Document: 2026-05966 (91 FR 14873) Document Headings ###### Department of the Interior

National Park Service

1. [N7026; NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0042484; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]

AGENCY:

National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MoDNR) intends to repatriate certain cultural items that meet the definition of sacred objects/objects of cultural patrimony and that have a cultural affiliation with the Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations in this notice.

DATES:

Repatriation of the cultural items in this notice may occur on or after April 27, 2026.

ADDRESSES:

Send additional, written requests for repatriation of the cultural items in this notice to Caroline Crecelius, Repatriation Coordinator for the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, 1659 E Elm St., Jefferson City, MO 65101, email caroline.crecelius@dnr.mo.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 Missouri Department of Natural Resources 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 235 cultural items have been requested for repatriation. The 235 sacred objects/objects of cultural patrimony include projectile points to blankets, bags, tools, photographs, jewelry, clothing and regalia, many of which are intricately beaded and/or woven. This collection was gifted by Ms. Owen to the museum in 1929. Through research of her published work, “Folklore of the Musquakie Indians of North America, And Catalogue of Musquakie Beadwork and Other Objects in the Collection of the Folklore Society (1904),” along with review of her unpublished field notes, it has been determined that the most likely origin of these belongings is the Sac & Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa in Tama, IA.

Determinations

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has determined that:

• The 235 sacred objects/objects of cultural patrimony described in this notice are, according to the Native American traditional knowledge of an Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization, specific ceremonial objects needed by a traditional Native American religious leader for present-day adherents to practice traditional Native American religion, and have 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).
• There is a connection between the cultural items described in this notice and the Sac & Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa.

Requests for Repatriation

Additional, written requests for repatriation of the cultural items 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 items in this notice to a requestor may occur on or after April 27, 2026. If competing requests for repatriation are received, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources must determine the most appropriate requestor prior to repatriation. Requests for joint repatriation of the cultural items are considered a single request and not competing requests. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources 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. 2026-05966 Filed 3-26-26; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4312-52-P

Published Document: 2026-05966 (91 FR 14873)