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The Office of Self-Governance has announced a deadline of March 1, 2025, for Indian tribes or consortia to submit applications to start participating in the tribal self-governance program in fiscal year 2026 or calendar year 2026. To be eligible, tribes must have completed planning, shown fiscal stability, and meet specific audit requirements. The announcement provides guidance on the application process, anticipating that initial negotiations may take about two months, aiming to have agreements signed by July 1 for fiscal year arrangements and October 1 for calendar year agreements.

In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology at Harvard University has completed an inventory of human remains from the Pawnee Indian Reservation in Oklahoma. These remains are culturally affiliated with the Otoe-Missouria Tribe of Indians, Oklahoma. Repatriation of these remains can occur on or after April 17, 2025, and requests can be made by affiliated tribes or individuals. If multiple requests for repatriation are received, the museum will decide the most appropriate requestor.

In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology at Harvard University has completed an inventory of human remains and found a cultural connection to the Blackfeet Tribe of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation of Montana. The remains consist of hair clippings from two 15-year-old individuals identified as Blackfoot, collected by James T. Ryan between 1930 and 1933 at the Chemawa Indian School in Oregon. The museum is facilitating the repatriation process, and requests for the return of the remains can be submitted until January 17, 2025. If multiple requests are submitted, the museum will determine the most appropriate recipient.

Indiana University has completed an inventory under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) and identified human remains of four Native American individuals. The remains are culturally affiliated with The Osage Nation and were originally collected in Missouri. Repatriation of the remains may start on or after January 13, 2025, and interested tribes, organizations, or descendants can submit written requests for repatriation. If multiple requests are received, Indiana University will determine the most appropriate party to return the remains to.

In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) has finished an inventory of human remains and determined a connection to Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations. These remains represent at least eight Native American individuals believed to have been found in San Luis Obispo, CA. The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Mission Indians of the Santa Ynez Reservation, California, may request repatriation of the remains starting May 19, 2025. Cal Poly will process requests from any recognized Indian Tribe, Native Hawaiian organization, or lineal descendant with a valid cultural connection.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has received applications for permits to conduct scientific research on endangered or threatened species. These activities aim to help preserve and support the survival of these species under the Endangered Species Act. The agency is asking government agencies, tribes, and the public to submit comments on these applications by May 12, 2025. Comments received will become part of the public record, and while personal information can be requested to be withheld, it cannot be guaranteed.

The San Bernardino County Museum plans to return cultural items to Native American tribes in line with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). The items, which include necklaces, beads, buttons, and bones, were initially taken from Auburn, California, and later donated to the museum. The museum has identified a connection between these items and the United Auburn Indian Community of the Auburn Rancheria of California. The repatriation may begin on or after April 18, 2025, and the museum is responsible for resolving any competing requests for these items.

The University of California, Davis has completed an inventory under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) and identified cultural affiliations between certain funerary objects and several Native American Tribes. These objects were found with human remains during excavations at a site in California. The university plans to repatriate these objects to the affiliated tribes starting May 19, 2025. If there are competing claims for the objects, UC Davis will decide the most appropriate requestor.

In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, Harvard University has completed an inventory of human remains from the Flandreau Indian School, South Dakota. These remains, consisting of hair clippings from two Chippewa individuals, have been determined to be culturally affiliated with the Bad River Band of the Lake Superior Tribe of Chippewa Indians, Wisconsin. The museum has invited requests for repatriation, which can be submitted starting April 17, 2025, by either the identified tribe or other tribes and lineal descendants with sufficient evidence of cultural affiliation. If there are multiple requests, the museum will determine the most appropriate recipient for repatriation.

The Bureau of Reclamation has announced a new interest rate of 3.00% for fiscal year 2025, to be used by federal agencies in planning and evaluating water and land resources. This rate, which is higher than the previous year's rate of 2.75%, reflects changes based on the average yield of long-term U.S. Treasury securities. All government agencies must apply this rate for calculating future benefits and costs in such planning efforts. This change ensures consistency with federal rules that set limits on rate changes from year to year.