Federal Register #2026-06827

Notice of Intended Repatriation of Native American Cultural Items by Sonoma State University

This notice details Sonoma State University's intent, under the National Park Service and NAGPRA, to repatriate a large collection of Native American cultural items and human remains to affiliated tribes: - Government Buyer: - National Park Service, Department of the Interior - Sonoma State University (repository and acting institution) - Involved Tribes: - Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria - Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians of the Big Valley Rancheria - Cultural Items for Repatriation: - Total of 89,043 items, including: - Flaked stone tools, ground stone tools, and debitage - Shell beads and unmodified shell - Historic period items and materials - Modified and unmodified faunal bone - Botanical samples - Human remains (associated funerary objects) - Items originate from archaeological sites in Sonoma and Lake Counties, California (Sebastopol, Lakeport, Soda Bay, Kelseyville, Finley) - Items have been housed at Sonoma State University since the 1970s and 1980s - Notable Requirements: - Repatriation is in accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) - Requests for repatriation may be submitted by affiliated tribes or lineal descendants - No hazardous substances are indicated on the items - Place of Performance and Storage: - Sonoma State University, 1801 E Cotati Avenue, Rohnert Park, CA 94928 (repository) - Archaeological sites in Sonoma and Lake Counties, CA (Sebastopol, Lakeport, Soda Bay, Kelseyville, Finley)

Description

Sonoma State University intends to repatriate certain cultural items that are objects of cultural patrimony and have cultural affiliation with Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations. The items include flaked stone tools, ground stone tools, historic period items, faunal bone, shell, and debitage, removed from various sites in California and housed at the university since the 1970s and 1980s. The repatriation is in accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) and may occur on or after May 11, 2026. Requests for repatriation can be submitted by affiliated tribes or lineal descendants.

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