Notice of Intended Repatriation: Ball State University, Muncie, IN

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR National Park Service [N7450; NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0043582; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000] Notice of Intended Repatriation: Ball State University, Muncie, IN AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the Ball State University intends to repatriate certain cultural items that meet the definition of sacred objects or objects of cultural patrimony 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 September 30, 2026. ADDRESSES: Send additional, written requests for repatriation of the cultural items in this notice to Chyan Gilaspy, Ball State University, Applied Anthropology Laboratories, 2000 W Riverside Avenue, Muncie, IN 47306, email NAGPRA@bsu.edu. 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 the Ball State University 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 A total of two cultural items have been requested for repatriation. The one sacred object is a pair of beaded moccasins. The one object of cultural patrimony is a beaded belt. The moccasins (catalog number 1938.500.223a-b) were purchased from William Shrawder in 1938. They are described as Central Plains or possibly Sioux beaded leather moccasins. The moccasins were identified as Arapaho during consultation. The beaded belt (catalog number 1983.006.051) was donated by a private donor in 1983, who purchased the belt in Jackson Hole, Wyoming in 1974. It is described as an Arapaho beaded belt. Ball State University is unaware of any potentially hazardous substances used to treat any of the cultural items. Determinations The Ball State University has determined that: • The one sacred object described in this notice are specific ceremonial objects needed by a traditional Native American religious leader for present-day adherents to practice traditional Native American religion, according to the Native American traditional knowledge of a lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization. • The one object 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 connection between the cultural items described in this notice and the Northern Arapaho Tribe of the Wind River Reservation, Wyoming. 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 [INSERT DATE 30 DAYS AFTER DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER ]. If competing requests for repatriation are received, the Ball State University 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. The Ball State University is responsible for sending a copy of this notice to the Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations identified in this notice and to any other consulting parties. Authority: Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, 25 U.S.C. 3004 and the implementing regulations, 43 CFR 10.9. Dated: August 20, 2026. Melanie O'Brien, Manager, National NAGPRA Program. [FR Doc. 2026-17698 Filed 8-28-26; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4312-52-P