08/25/2026
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California State Parks has announced its intent to repatriate 873 lots of cultural belongings connected to the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation.
According to a federal NAGPRA notice published August 24, the collection includes ceramics, flaked stone, groundstone, modified bone, asphaltum, organic materials and other belongings removed from the Barrel Springs area of California’s Antelope Valley between 1918 and 1930.
The collection later passed through the University of Southern California and Antelope Valley Indian Museum before being donated to California State Parks in 1979.
California State Parks determined that the 873 lots qualify as objects of cultural patrimony under NAGPRA and identified a cultural connection with the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation.
Eligible parties may submit repatriation requests, and the belongings may be repatriated on or after September 23, 2026.
The notice marks another step toward returning culturally significant belongings to the Native communities with which they are connected.
What do you think returning cultural belongings means for Tribal Nations and future generations? 🪶
Source:
• National Park Service / Federal Register — Notice of Intended Repatriation: California Department of Parks and Recreation, FR Doc. 2026-17180
