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Notice of Inventory Completion: Field Museum, Chicago, IL

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Published March 18th, 2026
Detected March 18th, 2026
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Summary

The National Park Service published a notice regarding the Field Museum's completion of an inventory of human remains. The museum has determined a cultural affiliation between the remains and the Tejon Indian Tribe, with repatriation possible on or after April 17, 2026.

What changed

The National Park Service, acting on behalf of the Department of the Interior, has published a Notice of Inventory Completion for the Field Museum in Chicago. This notice pertains to human remains representing at least one individual, removed from Tejon Pass, Kern County, California, in 1901. The Field Museum has determined a cultural affiliation between these remains and the Tejon Indian Tribe, and no associated funerary objects were identified.

This notice initiates a period during which the Tejon Indian Tribe or any lineal descendant can request repatriation of the human remains. Repatriation may occur on or after April 17, 2026. The Field Museum is responsible for managing the repatriation process and ensuring compliance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA).

What to do next

  1. Review the notice for potential claims or affiliations relevant to your organization.
  2. If applicable, submit written requests for repatriation to the Field Museum by April 17, 2026.
  3. Consult with the Field Museum regarding any competing repatriation requests.

Source document (simplified)

Notice

Notice of Inventory Completion: Field Museum, Chicago, IL

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

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  • Public Inspection Published Document: 2026-05293 (91 FR 13058) Document Headings ###### Department of the Interior
National Park Service
  1. [N7013; NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0042369; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]

AGENCY:

National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the Field Museum 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 April 17, 2026.

ADDRESSES:

Send written requests for repatriation of the human remains in this notice to June Carpenter, Field Museum, 1400 South Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60605, email jcarpenter@fieldmuseum.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 Field Museum, 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, one individual have been identified. No associated funerary objects are present. On January 31, 1901, one individual was removed from Tejon Pass in Kern County, California by Dr. John W. Hudson. The individual was accessioned by the Field Museum on June 28, 1901. There is no known presence of any potentially hazardous substances.

Cultural Affiliation

Based on the information available and the results of consultation, cultural affiliation is clearly identified by the information available about the human remains described in this notice.

Determinations

The Field Museum has determined that:

  • The human remains described in this notice represent the physical remains of one individual of Native American ancestry.
  • There is a connection between the human remains described in this notice and the Tejon 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:

  1. Any one or more of the Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations identified in this notice.

  2. 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 April 17, 2026. If competing requests for repatriation are received, the Field Museum 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 Field Museum is responsible for sending a copy of this notice to the Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations identified in this notice and any other consulting parties.

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

Dated: March 11, 2026

Melanie O'Brien,

Manager, National NAGPRA Program.

[FR Doc. 2026-05293 Filed 3-17-26; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4312-52-P

Published Document: 2026-05293 (91 FR 13058)

Classification

Agency
DOI
Published
March 18th, 2026
Compliance deadline
April 17th, 2026 (30 days)
Instrument
Notice
Legal weight
Non-binding
Stage
Final
Change scope
Minor

Who this affects

Applies to
Government agencies Tribal nations
Geographic scope
National (US)

Taxonomy

Primary area
Public Health
Operational domain
Compliance
Topics
Tribal Relations Cultural Heritage

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