Notice of Intent to Repatriate Cultural Items: City of Bellingham/Whatcom Museum, Bellingham, WA, 62105 [2015-26289]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
• National Park Service

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 199 (Thursday, October 15, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Page 62105]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-26289]



[[Page 62105]]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-19373; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]


Notice of Intent to Repatriate Cultural Items: City of 
Bellingham/Whatcom Museum, Bellingham, WA

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The City of Bellingham/Whatcom Museum (Whatcom Museum), in 
consultation with the appropriate Indian tribes or Native Hawaiian 
organizations, has determined that the cultural item listed in this 
notice meets the definitions of object of cultural patrimony and sacred 
object. Lineal descendants or representatives of any Indian tribe or 
Native Hawaiian organization not identified in this notice that wish to 
claim this cultural item should submit a written request to Whatcom 
Museum. If no additional claimants come forward, transfer of control of 
the cultural item to the lineal descendants, Indian tribes, or Native 
Hawaiian organizations stated in this notice may proceed.

DATES: Lineal descendants or representatives of any Indian tribe or 
Native Hawaiian organization not identified in this notice that wish to 
claim this cultural item should submit a written request with 
information in support of the claim to Whatcom Museum at the address in 
this notice by November 16, 2015.

ADDRESSES: Rebecca L. Hutchins, Curator of Collections, Whatcom Museum, 
121 Prospect Street, Bellingham, WA 98225, telephone (360) 778-8955, 
email rlhutchins@cob.org.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Notice is here given in accordance with the 
Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), 25 
U.S.C. 3005, of the intent to repatriate a cultural item under the 
control of Whatcom Museum, Bellingham, WA, that meets the definition of 
an object of cultural patrimony and sacred object under 25 U.S.C. 3001.
    This notice is published as part of the National Park Service's 
administrative responsibilities under NAGPRA, 25 U.S.C. 3003(d)(3). The 
determinations in this notice are the sole responsibility of the 
museum, institution, or Federal agency that has control of the Native 
American cultural items. The National Park Service is not responsible 
for the determinations in this notice.

History and Description of the Cultural Items

    On November 15, 1975, Whatcom Museum entered into a purchase 
agreement with the Michael R. Johnson Gallery in Seattle, WA, and took 
possession of a Tlingit Chilkat blanket (1975.117.1). Accompanying 
documents indicate that the blanket, described as ``bear and abs (sic) 
design'' was collected at Yakatat, AK in 1974, by a private collector 
based out of Tacoma, WA. A photocopy enclosed with the purchase 
agreement shows an image of the blanket hanging as a backdrop to a 
group of people in ceremonial regalia. Accompanying notes indicate this 
image was taken between 1935 and 1940, and was obtained from the Alaska 
State Library in Juneau, AK.
    Based on consultation with the Central Council of the Tlingit & 
Haida Indian Tribes, Whatcom Museum reasonably believes this cultural 
item is culturally affiliated with the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes. 
Furthermore, the museum was also informed during consultation that the 
object is considered to be both a sacred object and an object of 
cultural patrimony.

Determinations Made by Whatcom Museum

    Officials of Whatcom Museum have determined that:
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(C), the one cultural item 
described above is a specific ceremonial object needed by traditional 
Native American religious leaders for the practice of traditional 
Native American religions by their present-day adherents.
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(D), the one cultural item 
described above has ongoing historical, traditional, or cultural 
importance central to the Native American group or culture itself, 
rather than property owned by an individual.
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(2), there is a relationship of 
shared group identity that can be reasonably traced between the sacred 
object/object of cultural patrimony and the Central Council of the 
Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes.

Additional Requestors and Disposition

    Lineal descendants or representatives of any Indian tribe or Native 
Hawaiian organization not identified in this notice that wish to claim 
these cultural items should submit a written request with information 
in support of the claim to Rebecca L. Hutchins, Curator of Collections, 
Whatcom Museum, 121 Prospect Street, Bellingham, WA 98225, telephone 
(360) 778-8955, email rlhutchins@cob.org, by November 16, 2015. After 
that date, if no additional claimants have come forward, transfer of 
control of this sacred object/object of cultural patrimony to the 
Central Council of the Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes may proceed.
    Whatcom Museum is responsible for notifying the Central Council of 
the Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes that this notice has been published.

    Dated: September 18, 2015.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2015-26289 Filed 10-14-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4312-50-P