Opportunity
Federal Register #2026-07380
Notice of Intended Repatriation of Cultural Items by USDA Forest Service, Tonto National Forest
Posted
April 16, 2026
Identifier
2026-07380
This notice announces the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Tonto National Forest's intent to repatriate cultural items under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA): - Government Buyer: - U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Tonto National Forest (Phoenix, Arizona) - Cultural Items for Repatriation: - Unassociated funerary objects, sacred objects, and objects of cultural patrimony - Items include ceramic bowls, jars, shell beads, pendants, bone tools, stone artifacts, and other archaeological objects - Objects originate from multiple sites in Gila, Maricopa, and Pinal Counties, Arizona - Associated with Hohokam, Salado, Mogollon, and Sinagua archaeological traditions - Repository and Collection Details: - Items held at the Arizona State Museum - Many collected by the Gila Pueblo Archaeological Foundation and other individuals - Notable Requirements: - No hazardous substances documented on items - Repatriation requests may be submitted by lineal descendants, Indian Tribes, or Native Hawaiian organizations - Action is statutory compliance under NAGPRA, not a procurement of goods or services - Administrative Involvement: - National Park Service and Department of the Interior referenced in the process, but primary action by Tonto National Forest
Description
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Tonto National Forest intends to repatriate certain cultural items classified as unassociated funerary objects, sacred objects, and/or objects of cultural patrimony. These items have cultural affiliations with Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations. The repatriation is conducted in accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) and may occur on or after May 18, 2026. Requests for repatriation can be submitted by lineal descendants or culturally affiliated tribes or organizations.