Federal Register Notice Issued for Repatriation Requests
Washington D.C. – July 1, 2025 – The National NAGPRA Program has issued a notice outlining the process for submitting requests for the repatriation of associated funerary objects. The notice, dated July 1, 2025, specifies that repatriation may occur on or after August 27, 2025.
Requests for repatriation can be submitted by any of the Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations identified in the notice. Additionally, any lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization not explicitly listed can submit a request if they can demonstrate, by a preponderance of the evidence, their status as a lineal descendant or their cultural affiliation with the objects.
In instances of competing repatriation requests,Caltrans is responsible for determining the most appropriate requestor before proceeding with the repatriation. Joint repatriation requests are considered a single submission and will not be treated as competing requests.
Caltrans is tasked with distributing this notice to all identified Indian tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations.
This action is authorized under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), specifically 25 U.S.C.3003, and its implementing regulations found at 43 CFR 10.10.
The notice was signed by Melanie O’Brien, Manager of the National NAGPRA Program.
