2024-08044. Notice of Intent To Repatriate Cultural Items: California State University, Sacramento, Sacramento, CA

AGENCY:

National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), California State University, Sacramento, Sacramento, CA intends to repatriate certain cultural items that meet the definition of unassociated funerary objects and that have a cultural affiliation with the Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations in this notice.

DATES:

Repatriation of the cultural items in this notice may occur on or after May 16, 2024.

ADDRESSES:

Dr. Mark Wheeler, Chief of Staff to President Luke Wood, California State University, Sacramento, 6000 J Street Sacramento, CA 95819, telephone [phone], email [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

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 California State University, Sacramento, and additional information on the determinations in this notice, including the results of consultation, can be found in the summary or related records. The National Park Service is not responsible for the determinations in this notice.

Abstract of Information Available

The 106 cultural items were removed from several sites in Yolo County, CA. At an unknown date, cultural items were removed from an unknown site in Yolo County near Clarksburg, CA-YOL-07, and CA-YOL-49 by Anthony Zallio. In 1951, Zallio's estate donated the collections to California State University, Sacramento. In 1970, cultural items were removed from CA-YOL-47 by an unknown individual associated with California State University, Sacramento. In 1960, cultural items from CA-YOL-42 were found during a survey conducted by students from Sacramento State University (now California State University, Sacramento) under the direction of Dr. William Beeson. Additional objects determined to be from Yolo County, but with no associated site name, number or other documentation were also located in the University's collections. It is not known how these objects came into the University's possession. The 101 unassociated funerary objects include faunal and floral remains; flaked and ground stones; modified bones, shells, and stones; and unmodified stones. The five objects of cultural patrimony include flaked stones, and modified bones and shells.

Determinations

California State University, Sacramento, Sacramento, CA has determined that:

• The 101 unassociated funerary objects described above are reasonably believed to have been placed intentionally with or near individual human remains, and are connected, either at the time of death or later as part of the death rite or ceremony and are believed, by a preponderance of the evidence, to have been removed from a specific burial site of an individual or individuals with cultural affiliation to an Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization.
• The five objects of cultural patrimony described in this notice have ongoing historical, traditional, or cultural importance central to the Native American group, including any constituent sub-group (such as a band, clan, lineage, ceremonial society, or other subdivision), according to the Native American traditional knowledge of an Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization.
• There is a reasonable connection between the cultural items described in this notice and the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, California.

Requests for Repatriation

Additional, written requests for repatriation of the cultural items in this notice must be sent to the authorized representative identified in this notice under ADDRESSES . Requests for repatriation may be submitted by 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 a culturally affiliated Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization.

Repatriation of the cultural items in this notice to a requestor may occur on or after May 16, 2024. If competing requests for repatriation are received, California State University, Sacramento must determine the most appropriate requestor prior to repatriation. Requests for joint repatriation of the cultural items are considered a single request and not competing requests. California State University, Sacramento is responsible for sending a copy of this notice to the Indian Tribe identified in this notice.

Authority: Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, 25 U.S.C. 3004 and the implementing regulations, 43 CFR 10.9.

Dated: April 9, 2024.

Melanie O'Brien,

Manager, National NAGPRA Program.