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Notice

Notice of Inventory Completion: Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK

Notice.

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Summary:

In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History (SNOMNH), has completed an inventory of human remains and associated funerary objects and has determined that there is a cultural affiliation between the human remains and associated funerary objects and Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations in this notice.

Key Dates
Citation: 90 FR 58586
Repatriation of the human remains and associated funerary objects in this notice may occur on or after January 16, 2026.
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In Plain English

What is this Federal Register notice?

This is a notice published in the Federal Register by Interior Department, National Park Service. Notices communicate information, guidance, or policy interpretations but may not create new binding obligations.

Is this rule final?

This document is classified as a notice. It may or may not create enforceable regulatory obligations depending on its specific content.

Who does this apply to?

Notice.

When does it take effect?

Repatriation of the human remains and associated funerary objects in this notice may occur on or after January 16, 2026.

Why it matters: This notice communicates agency policy or guidance regarding applicable regulations.

Document Details

Document Number2025-23031
FR Citation90 FR 58586
TypeNotice
PublishedDec 17, 2025
Effective Date-
RIN-
Docket IDN6676
Pages58586–58587 (2 pages)
Text FetchedYes

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Full Document Text (724 words · ~4 min read)

Text Preserved
<NOTICE> DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR <SUBAGY>National Park Service</SUBAGY> <DEPDOC>[N6676; NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0041418; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]</DEPDOC> <SUBJECT>Notice of Inventory Completion: Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK</SUBJECT> <HD SOURCE="HED">AGENCY:</HD> National Park Service, Interior. <HD SOURCE="HED">ACTION:</HD> Notice. <SUM> <HD SOURCE="HED">SUMMARY:</HD> In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History (SNOMNH), has completed an inventory of human remains and associated funerary objects and has determined that there is a cultural affiliation between the human remains and associated funerary objects and Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations in this notice. </SUM> <DATES> <HD SOURCE="HED">DATES:</HD> Repatriation of the human remains and associated funerary objects in this notice may occur on or after January 16, 2026. </DATES> <HD SOURCE="HED">ADDRESSES:</HD> Send written requests for repatriation of the human remains and associated funerary objects in this notice to Zachary Garrett, NAGPRA Program Coordinator, Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History, University of Oklahoma, 2401 Chautauqua Avenue, Norman, OK 73072-7029, email <E T="03">zacgarrett@ou.edu</E> . <SUPLINF> <HD SOURCE="HED">SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:</HD> This notice is published as part of the National Park Service's administrative responsibilities under NAGPRA. The determinations in this notice are the sole responsibility of SNOMNH, and additional information on the determinations in this notice, including the results of consultation, can be found in its inventory or related records. The National Park Service is not responsible for the determinations in this notice. <HD SOURCE="HD1">Abstract of Information Available</HD> Human remains representing, at least, one individual have been identified. The seven associated funerary objects are historic medicine bundles. In 1996, this individual and their associated funerary objects were transferred from Gordon Yellowman, then-NAGPRA Coordinator for the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes, Oklahoma (hereafter “the Tribes”), to SNOMNH representatives at the Oklahoma Medical Examiner's Office in Oklahoma City, OK. This transfer was documented as an “indefinite NAGPRA loan”. The only additional documentation on this individual is that they came from Blaine County, Oklahoma (Blaine County is within the area of the old reservation of the Tribes). NAGPRA representatives from the Tribes reviewed the bundles and identified them as being in the style of the Tribes and sacred in nature. To our knowledge, no potentially hazardous substances were used to treat any of the human remains or associated funerary objects. <HD SOURCE="HD1">Cultural Affiliation</HD> Based on the information available and the results of consultation, cultural affiliation is clearly identified by the information available about the human remains and associated funerary objects described in this notice. <HD SOURCE="HD1">Determinations</HD> SNOMNH has determined that: • The human remains described in this notice represent the physical remains of one individual of Native American ancestry. • The seven objects described in this notice are reasonably believed to have been placed intentionally with or near individual human remains at the time of death or later as part of the death rite or ceremony. • There is a connection between the human remains and associated funerary objects described in this notice and the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes, Oklahoma. <HD SOURCE="HD1">Requests for Repatriation</HD> Written requests for repatriation of the human remains and associated funerary objects in this notice must be sent to the authorized representative identified in this notice under <E T="02">ADDRESSES</E> . Requests for repatriation may be submitted by: 1. Any one or more of the Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations identified in this notice. 2. Any lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization not identified in this notice who shows, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the requestor is a lineal descendant or an Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization with cultural affiliation. Repatriation of the human remains and associated funerary objects described in this notice to a requestor may occur on or after January 16, 2026. If competing requests for repatriation are received, SNOMNH must determine the most appropriate requestor prior to repatriation. Requests for joint repatriation of the human remains and associated funerary objects are considered a single request and not competing requests. SNOMNH is responsible for sending a copy of this notice to the Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations identified in this notice and any other consulting parties. <E T="03">Authority:</E> Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, 25 U.S.C. 3003, and the implementing regulations, 43 CFR 10.10. <SIG> <DATED>Dated: November 24, 2025.</DATED> <NAME>Melanie O'Brien,</NAME> Manager, National NAGPRA Program. </SIG> </SUPLINF> <FRDOC>[FR Doc. 2025-23031 Filed 12-16-25; 8:45 am]</FRDOC> </NOTICE>
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