Federal Register #2026-19467

Notice of Intended Repatriation of Native American Cultural Items by Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

This notice concerns the intended repatriation of Native American cultural items by the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond, VA, under the Department of the Interior and National Park Service oversight. - Government Buyer: - Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond, VA - Oversight: Department of the Interior, National Park Service - Cultural Items for Repatriation: - Pair of beaded moccasins (Southern Ute Indian Tribe) - Headdress frontlet (sun mask), raven rattle, and halibut grease dish (Metlakatla Indian Community) - Notable Requirements: - Items are recognized as objects of cultural patrimony - Repatriation follows Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) procedures - No commercial procurement, vendors, or OEMs involved - No products or services are being purchased; this is a legal notice regarding the return of cultural property

Description

The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts intends to repatriate certain cultural items that are objects of cultural patrimony with cultural affiliation to Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations. The items include a pair of beaded moccasins affiliated with the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, and three objects (a headdress frontlet, a raven rattle, and a halibut grease dish) affiliated with the Metlakatla Indian Community. The repatriation process follows the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). Repatriation may occur on or after October 23, 2026, and requests for repatriation must be sent to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.

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