Federal Register #2026-11716

Notice of Intended Repatriation of Cultural Items by Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History

This notice concerns the intended repatriation of cultural items by the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, as overseen by the National Park Service: - Government buyer: National Park Service (Department of the Interior) - No OEMs or commercial vendors are involved; this is not a procurement of goods or services - Approximately 1,693 cultural items to be repatriated, including: - Stone artifacts (e.g., knives) - Bone artifacts (e.g., abraders) - Shell items (beads, spangles, ornaments, pendants) - Shark teeth - Items were excavated from cemetery sites on Santa Rosa Island (Survey Point SRI5A) by Phil Orr between 1947 and 1950 - Repatriation is in accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) - Intended recipients are Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations with cultural affiliation, specifically the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Mission Indians of the Santa Ynez Reservation, California - No products or services are being solicited or awarded; this is a legal and cultural notice, not a procurement opportunity

Description

The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History intends to repatriate certain cultural items classified as unassociated funerary objects that have cultural affiliation with Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations. Approximately 1,693 objects including stone artifacts, bone artifacts, shell items, and shark teeth excavated from cemetery sites on Santa Rosa Island are involved. The repatriation may occur on or after July 13, 2026. Requests for repatriation must be sent to the authorized representative at the museum and may be submitted by affiliated tribes or lineal descendants.

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