September 27, 2026 to October 03, 2026

This is Queen Street Analytics' weekly digest of regulatory developments, legislative discussions and other government-related news concerning tribal affairs, the BIA, reservation lands, tribal statistical areas, and treaty rights. Once a week, we break down the most important updates in this space in under five minutes.

Want to see GR activities in areas related to Tribal Affairs? Don't miss this week's updates in Social Issues and Environment. Also consider subscribing to our Indigenous Affairs - Ottawa edition covering critical GR news north of the border.

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🇺🇸 Federal Government News
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

Federal Government News

Institute of Museum and Library Services: Native American Library Services Enhancement Grants—Information Collection Renewal

The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) has issued a notice requesting comments on its proposed renewal of the Native American Library Services Enhancement Grants information collection. The grants, administered under OMB Control Number 3137-0110, are designed to support federally recognized Tribes in enhancing core library services. The notice outlines the intent to extend clearance for an additional three years, setting an estimated annual respondent count at 80 with an average respondent burden of 35 hours. The program aims to support the development and dissemination of practices and training to strengthen library and archival services within Native American communities. Comments may be submitted until November 28, 2026, to the contacts provided in the notice.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Institute of Museum and Library Services: Native Hawaiian Library Services Grant Program Information Collection Renewal

IMLS is seeking feedback on the renewal of its Native Hawaiian Library Services Grant Program information collection, as announced in the Federal Register. The program, operating under OMB Control Number 3137-0102, supports nonprofit organizations serving Native Hawaiians in the improvement of core library services. IMLS anticipates an annual respondent pool of approximately 10 organizations, each with an average response burden of 35 hours. Written comments are due by November 28, 2026. The renewal action continues support for library and archival service development for Native Hawaiian organizations.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

California State University, Sacramento: Notices of NAGPRA Inventory Completion and Intended Repatriation

California State University, Sacramento, issued two NAGPRA notices concerning inventory completion and intended repatriation of cultural materials. One notice describes the completion of an inventory regarding human remains representing at least 53 individuals from sites in northern Tehama County, and 35,141 associated funerary objects, with cultural affiliations to the Grindstone Indian Rancheria of Wintun-Wailaki Indians, Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians, and Redding Rancheria. Repatriation may occur on or after October 30, 2026. A second notice addresses the intended repatriation of 8,593 objects of cultural patrimony, covering a range of materials from multiple sites, affiliated with the Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians. Both notices include provisions for competing or joint requests, and interpret the collections as directly connected to identified Tribes.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov, www.federalregister.gov

Multiple Museum NAGPRA Repatriation and Inventory Notices (Kansas, Los Angeles, Berkeley, Hartford, Indianapolis, Harvard, Texas)

Federal agencies and universities announced a series of notices regarding repatriation under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) during the week. The Kansas State Historical Society (KSHS) detailed the inventory and intended repatriation of human remains and associated funerary objects from Lyon, Barton, Rice, and Johnson counties, as well as objects from Barton, Lyon, and Rice counties, with affiliations to the Kaw Nation and the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes. The Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History will repatriate three objects of cultural patrimony to the Morongo Band of Mission Indians and the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation. The Autry Museum of the American West in Los Angeles intends to repatriate cultural items, including sacred objects and objects of cultural patrimony, to Tlingit and Haida Tribes of Alaska. The University of California, Berkeley, has announced the intended repatriation of an unassociated funerary object, a basket start, with a known lineal descendant from Cahuilla Valley. The Wadsworth in Hartford, CT, is repatriating 25 cultural items to the Bear River Band of the Rohnerville Rancheria, California. The Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields will repatriate 241 funerary objects, removed from Spiro Mound, to the Caddo Nation and the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes. The Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology at Harvard University announced the intended repatriation of two lots of ceramics from Drakes Creek, Sumner County, Tennessee, to the Cherokee Nation, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, The Muscogee (Creek) Nation, and the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians. The USDA Forest Service in Texas issued a notice for disposition of human remains confiscated in Angelina National Forest, prioritizing the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas and The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma for claims. Each notice includes timelines for requests, protocols for competing and joint claims, and details on the affiliated Tribes or lines of descent.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov, www.federalregister.gov, www.federalregister.gov, www.federalregister.gov, www.federalregister.gov, www.federalregister.gov, www.federalregister.gov, www.federalregister.gov, www.federalregister.gov, www.federalregister.gov, www.federalregister.gov, www.federalregister.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• Dutch royal house was 'wholeheartedly' involved in colonial exploitation, study shows: A new study examines the Dutch royal family's active participation in colonial exploitation.

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