NPS Notice of Intended Repatriation: University of California San Diego

FR: Interior Department

Published March 18th, 2026

Detected March 18th, 2026

Summary

The National Park Service, on behalf of the University of California San Diego, has issued a Notice of Intended Repatriation for two cultural items identified as objects of cultural patrimony. These items are connected to the Kiowa Tribe and repatriation may occur on or after April 17, 2026.

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What changed

The National Park Service has published a Notice of Intended Repatriation concerning two historic ledger drawings held by the University of California San Diego. These items have been determined by the university to be objects of cultural patrimony with a cultural affiliation to the Kiowa Tribe. This notice is part of the administrative responsibilities under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA).

Regulated entities, specifically educational institutions or other organizations holding similar cultural items, should be aware of the NAGPRA process. While this specific notice concerns a university's intent to repatriate, it highlights the ongoing obligations under NAGPRA. Any lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization not identified in the notice can submit a written request for repatriation by April 17, 2026. The university will determine the most appropriate requestor if competing claims arise.

What to do next

Review NAGPRA compliance procedures for any cultural items held by the institution.
Consult with relevant tribal representatives regarding any potentially affiliated cultural items.
Ensure accurate record-keeping and documentation for all cultural items.

Source document (simplified)

Notice

Notice of Intended Repatriation: University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA

A Notice by the National Park Service on 03/18/2026

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Public Inspection Published Document: 2026-05294 (91 FR 13057) Document Headings ###### Department of the Interior

National Park Service

[N7004; NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0042359; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]

AGENCY:

National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the University of California San Diego intends to repatriate certain cultural items that meet the definition of 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 17, 2026.

ADDRESSES:

Send additional, written requests for repatriation of the cultural items in this notice to Eva Trujillo, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, email e7trujillo@ucsd.edu.

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 University of California San Diego 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 two cultural items have been requested for repatriation. The two objects of cultural patrimony are two double-sided historic ledger drawings acquired by the University of California San Diego through the Plains Indian Ledger Drawing Digital Publishing Project.

Koba, the original Kiowa author, was one of 72 warriors from a number of Plains Indian tribes imprisoned without trial after the Red River War in 1875 at Fort Marion, St. Augustine, Florida. There is no evidence of potentially hazardous substances.

Determinations

The University of California San Diego has determined that:

The two objects of cultural patrimony described in this notice 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), according to the Native American traditional knowledge of an Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization.
There is a connection between the cultural items described in this notice and the Kiowa Tribe (previously listed as Kiowa Indian Tribe of Oklahoma).

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 17, 2026. If competing requests for repatriation are received, the University of California San Diego ( printed page 13058) 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 University of California San Diego 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 11, 2026.

Melanie O'Brien,

Manager, National NAGPRA Program.

[FR Doc. 2026-05294 Filed 3-17-26; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4312-52-P

Published Document: 2026-05294 (91 FR 13057)