A Notice of Inventory Completion (NIC) is published when a museum or Federal agency has consulted with appropriate tribal groups and made a determination of cultural affiliation for human remains and associated funerary objects. As of January 2024, cultural affiliation can be made based on either a clear (exp., based on information available) or reasonable (exp., based on geographical location or acquisition history) connection of shared group identity. Notice must also be given if the museum determines after consultation that no lineal descendant or any Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization with cultural affiliation can be clearly or reasonably identified. The inventory must in that case briefly describe the information considered and the criteria identified to explain how the determination was made. Such notice is required pursuant to 25 USC 3003 (d), 43 CFR 10.9 (e), 43 CFR 10.11(d), and 43 CFR 10.13.
A Notice of Intent to Repatriate (NIR) is published when a museum or Federal agency receives, reviews, and accepts a claim by a tribe for sacred objects, unassociated funerary objects, or objects of cultural patrimony. Such notice is required pursuant to 43 CFR 10.8 (f).
Up-to-date Federal Register notices can always be found by searching for institutional or tribal names in the Federal Register (https://www.federalregister.gov/).
Thirty days after a Notice is published, if there are no counter claims, transfer of legal control happens when the museum issues a Repatriation Statement of subject collections to the requestor(s). Physical repatriation may then proceed. After disposition or repatriation statements are sent to claimants or requestors, the museum or federal agency must:
- Consult on custody and physical transfer,
- Document any physical transfer, and
- Protect sensitive information, as identified by the claimant or requestor, from disclosure to the general public to the extent consistent with applicable law.
See the National Park Service's page on Notices and Statements for more information (https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nagpra/notices-and-statements.htm).