Notice of Intent to Repatriate Cultural Items: Denver Museum of Nature & Science, Denver, CO, 50986-50987 [E8-20097]
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50986
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 169 / Friday, August 29, 2008 / Notices
Mexico may proceed after that date if no
additional claimants come forward.
The Denver Museum of Nature &
Science is responsible for notifying the
Pueblo of Cochiti, New Mexico that this
notice has been published.
Dated: August 4, 2008.
Sherry Hutt,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. E8–20109 Filed 8–28–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312–50–S
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
Notice of Intent to Repatriate Cultural
Items in the Possession of the Bernice
Pauahi Bishop Museum, Honolulu, HI;
Correction
National Park Service, Interior.
Notice; correction.
AGENCY:
mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES
ACTION:
Notice is here given in accordance
with the Native American Graves
Protection and Repatriation Act
(NAGPRA), 25 U.S.C. 3003, of the intent
to repatriate cultural items in the
possession of the Bishop Museum,
Honolulu, HI, that meet the definition of
‘‘unassociated funerary objects’’ 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 human remains and
associated funerary objects. The
National Park Service is not responsible
for the determinations in this notice.
This notice corrects the culturally
affiliated Native Hawaiian organizations
identified during the claimant process
and provides new museum contact
information for a Notice of Intent to
Repatriate Cultural Items published in
the Federal Register of October 10, 2002
(FR Doc 02–25874, page 63152) for
unassociated funerary objects removed
from Lana‘i, HI.
The Federal Register notice of
October 10, 2002 is corrected by
substituting paragraph numbers 5 and 6
with the following paragraphs:
Officials of the Bishop Museum have
determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C.
3001 (3)(B), the 97 cultural items are
reasonably believed to have been placed
with or near individual human remains
at the time of death or later as part of
the death rite or ceremony and are
believed, by a preponderance of the
evidence, to have been removed from a
specific burial site of a Native Hawaiian
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17:32 Aug 28, 2008
Jkt 214001
individual. Officials of the Bishop
Museum also have determined that,
pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (2), there is
a relationship of shared group identity
that can be reasonably traced between
the unassociated funerary objects and
the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and Hui
Kako‘o. It has also been determined that
Hui Kako‘o is the most culturally
affiliated Native Hawaiian organization
for these unassociated funerary objects.
Representatives of any other Native
Hawaiian organization that believes
itself to be culturally affiliated with the
unassociated funerary objects should
contact Betty Lou Kam, Vice President
of Cultural Resources, Bishop Museum,
1525 Bernice Street, Honolulu, HI
96718–2704, telephone (808) 848–4144,
before September 29, 2008. Repatriation
of the unassociated funerary objects to
Hui Kako‘o may proceed after that date
if no additional claimants come
forward.
The Bishop Museum is responsible
for notifying Hui Kako‘o, Hui Malama I
Na Kupuna O Hawai‘i Nei, Maui/Lana‘i
Island Burial Council, and the Office of
Hawaiian Affairs that this notice has
been published.
Dated: August 12, 2008.
Sherry Hutt,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. E8–20101 Filed 8–28–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312–50–S
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
Notice of Intent to Repatriate Cultural
Items: Denver Museum of Nature &
Science, Denver, CO
National Park Service, Interior.
Notice.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
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 cultural items in the
possession of the Denver Museum of
Nature & Science, Denver, CO, that meet
the definition of ‘‘unassociated funerary
objects’’ 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.
On February 24, 1965, the collectors
Mary W.A. and Francis V. Crane
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Sfmt 4703
acquired 18 silver Seminole pendants
from the antiquities dealer Howard B.
Roloff. Records from the purchase
transaction noted that the ‘‘4 dark ones
are from a burial over 100 years old.’’ In
1968, the Cranes donated the Seminole
pendants to the Denver Museum of
Nature & Science (then Denver Museum
of Natural History) (Accession Numbers
AC.7940A-D). The museum exhibited
the four pendants in its ‘‘Seminole
Silver Case’’ between 1976 and 1980.
Historical and archeological evidence
establish that Seminole and Miccosukee
people have been residents in central
and southern Florida for at least several
hundred years. In consultations,
representatives of the Miccosukee Tribe
of Indians of Florida; Seminole Nation
of Oklahoma; and Seminole Tribe of
Florida, Dania, Big Cypress, Brighton,
Hollywood & Tampa Reservations
confirmed their affiliation with earlier
historic American Indians in Florida
and confirmed that the four pendants
were very likely Seminole burial
objects. Descendants of the Seminole are
members of the Miccosukee Tribe of
Indians of Florida; Seminole Nation of
Oklahoma; and Seminole Tribe of
Florida, Dania, Big Cypress, Brighton,
Hollywood & Tampa Reservations.
Officials of the Denver Museum of
Nature & Science have determined that,
pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (3)(B), the
four cultural items described above are
reasonably believed to have been placed
with or near individual human remains
at the time of death or later as part of
the death rite or ceremony and are
believed to have been removed from a
specific burial site of a Native American
individual. Officials of the Denver
Museum of Nature & Science also have
determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C.
3001 (2), there is a relationship of
shared group identity that can be
reasonably traced between the cultural
items and the Miccosukee Tribe of
Indians of Florida; Seminole Nation of
Oklahoma; and Seminole Tribe of
Florida, Dania, Big Cypress, Brighton,
Hollywood & Tampa Reservations.
Representatives of any other Indian
tribe that believes itself to be culturally
affiliated with the unassociated funerary
objects should contact Dr. Chip ColwellChanthaphonh, NAGPRA Officer,
Department of Anthropology, Denver
Museum of Nature & Science, 2001
Colorado Boulevard, Denver, CO 80205,
telephone (303) 370–6378, before
September 29, 2008. Repatriation of the
unassociated funerary items to the
Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida;
Seminole Nation of Oklahoma; and
Seminole Tribe of Florida, Dania, Big
Cypress, Brighton, Hollywood & Tampa
Reservations may proceed after that date
E:\FR\FM\29AUN1.SGM
29AUN1
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 169 / Friday, August 29, 2008 / Notices
if no additional claimants come
forward.
The Denver Museum of Nature &
Science is responsible for notifying the
Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida;
Seminole Nation of Oklahoma; and
Seminole Tribe of Florida, Dania, Big
Cypress, Brighton, Hollywood & Tampa
Reservations that this notice has been
published.
Dated: August 4, 2008.
Sherry Hutt,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. E8–20097 Filed 8–28–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312–50–S
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
Notice of Intent to Repatriate Cultural
Items: Denver Museum of Nature &
Science, Denver, CO
National Park Service, Interior.
Notice.
AGENCY:
mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES
ACTION:
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 cultural items in the
possession of the Denver Museum of
Nature & Science, Denver, CO, which
meet the definitions of ‘‘sacred objects’’
and ‘‘objects of cultural patrimony’’
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 cultural
items. The National Park Service is not
responsible for the determinations in
this notice.
The first cultural item is called the
Whale Hairpiece, carved from a section
of mountain goat horn, measuring
approximately 3 inches high, 1.5 inches
in diameter at the base, and 1 inch in
diameter at the top. Decorating the
exterior of the horn are 18 abalone shell
insets. The catalogue records term the
object a ‘‘hair holder or ornament’’ and
‘‘braid wrap.’’ In August 1977, the
cultural item was purchased by Mrs.
Mary A. Crane from the art dealer Mr.
Michael R. Johnson who had purchased
the item from ‘‘Mrs. Dan Katzeek’’ in
1973. In a letter Mr. Johnson wrote to
Mrs. Crane, dated August 30, 1977, he
asserted,‘‘I am convinced it is very old
as the single braid or plaited hair in one
clump has not been worn since the days
of Cook and Vancouver. The style is
evident in the early Webber drawings
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17:32 Aug 28, 2008
Jkt 214001
but seems to have faded out in Victorian
times to the double braids or Victorian
upsweeps and buns.’’ Mrs. Crane
donated the hairpiece to the Denver
Museum of Nature & Science (then
Denver Museum of Natural History) on
May 27, 1983.
The second cultural item is called the
Strongman Housepost Robe, a painted
moose hide blanket, approximately 66 x
44 inches in size, with two hide strings
at top. The center area, about 36 x 24.5
inches in size, has a painted design and
‘‘VICTOR HOTCH KLUKWAN’’ is
painted at the top and also the inside
bottom. In 1974, the cultural item was
purchased by Michael R. Johnson from
Victor Hotch. Museum records suggest
that the image represents Strongman (a
Tlingit hero, Dukt’ootl) ripping apart a
sea lion; that it was a robe for wearing;
and that this image was also used on
house posts. The last claim was verified
during consultations and supported by
photographs of a Whale House post,
taken from Klukwan in 1984. Mr.
Johnson, who claimed the robe dates to
about 1930, donated it to the Denver
Museum of Nature & Science on October
3, 1974.
In the mid–1970s a decades-long
controversy began over the ownership of
Whale House objects. The public and
legal battle engulfed Klukwan,
museums, and collectors alike.
Although these objects left Alaska
several years prior to the controversy,
nonetheless, the Denver Museum of
Nature & Science acknowledges that
these two objects likely left Alaska
under suspect circumstances.
During consultation, representatives
of the Central Council of the Tlingit &
Haida Indian Tribes provided detailed
written documentation of tribal and clan
histories, the significance of the
hairpiece and robe to the Gaanaxteidi
Clan, and the importance of these
objects in ongoing ceremonial practices.
The official claim explained the right of
the Gaanaxteidi Clan and Whale House
to the symbolism embedded in these
objects. The claim confirms the
museum’s records that the robe’s design
replicates the image of the Strongman
Housepost, which has been well
documented as belonging to the Whale
House. This particular image tells the
story of the Gaanaxteidi Clan’s
migration history. The hairpiece
represents the whale itself, and the
whale is a crest of the Gaanaxteidi Clan.
The whale character figures
prominently into the ‘‘Raven Cycle’’
stories. Additionally, the claim offers
that the hairpiece, or yaay che’eeni, was
worn by women to bundle the hair and
only worn on ceremonial occasions with
the assistance of the ‘‘opposite’’ moiety.
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50987
It then explains more specifically how
it would be ceremonially used
exclusively by a woman of the aanyadi
(high caste).
The claim argues that these pieces are
objects of cultural patrimony, that the
Hit s’aati (Housemaster) is only the
steward of these clan objects. Under
Tlingit traditional property law (now
codified in tribal law) the trustee does
not have the authority to sell clan
property. Rather, clan consent is
necessary for decisions about clan
property. The published literature,
based on a wide range of ethnological,
folkloric, linguistic, and anthropological
sources, supports these claims.
At length, the claim explains that
these two objects are sacred objects, as
clan crests both symbolize and embody
the spirit of the being depicted on these
objects. Crests represent the spiritual
affinity and kinship between the clan
members and the animals or mythical
figures being represented. Clan members
sometimes refer to their clan crests as
Ax Shuka (My Ancestor or Relative),
and may call upon these spirits in time
of need. A specific code of conduct is
maintained around these crests, which
Tlingits traditionally believe are not
truly things, but rather ‘‘living beings.’’
The claim asserts that, if returned, these
objects will be used in the ongoing
ceremonies of the Gaanaxteidi Clan.
Consultation evidence acknowledges
that many of the clan-owned and sacred
objects were removed from the
communities by members of their own
tribe. Nevertheless, these individuals
acted in contravention of traditional
Tlingit cultural property law. It is only
the Gaanaxteidi Clan that has the right
to display these objects and tell of its
own history. The museum cannot
provide any evidence that the Tlingit
individuals who sold the objects had
authority of alienation or consent of the
clan. Based on the evidence of the larger
Whale House controversy, it is highly
likely that many clan members
explicitly objected to the sale of these
kinds of clan objects when Johnson
purchased them, and continue to be
objects of cultural patrimony and sacred
objects owned by the clan.
Officials of the Denver Museum of
Nature & Science have determined that,
pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (3)(C), the
two cultural items are specific
ceremonial objects needed by traditional
Native American religious leaders for
the practice of traditional Native
American religions by their present-day
adherents. Officials of the Denver
Museum of Nature & Science have also
determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C.
3001 (3)(D), the two cultural items have
ongoing historical, traditional, or
E:\FR\FM\29AUN1.SGM
29AUN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 169 (Friday, August 29, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50986-50987]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-20097]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
Notice of Intent to Repatriate Cultural Items: Denver Museum of
Nature & Science, Denver, CO
AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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 cultural items in the possession of the Denver Museum of
Nature & Science, Denver, CO, that meet the definition of
``unassociated funerary objects'' 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.
On February 24, 1965, the collectors Mary W.A. and Francis V. Crane
acquired 18 silver Seminole pendants from the antiquities dealer Howard
B. Roloff. Records from the purchase transaction noted that the ``4
dark ones are from a burial over 100 years old.'' In 1968, the Cranes
donated the Seminole pendants to the Denver Museum of Nature & Science
(then Denver Museum of Natural History) (Accession Numbers AC.7940A-D).
The museum exhibited the four pendants in its ``Seminole Silver Case''
between 1976 and 1980.
Historical and archeological evidence establish that Seminole and
Miccosukee people have been residents in central and southern Florida
for at least several hundred years. In consultations, representatives
of the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida; Seminole Nation of
Oklahoma; and Seminole Tribe of Florida, Dania, Big Cypress, Brighton,
Hollywood & Tampa Reservations confirmed their affiliation with earlier
historic American Indians in Florida and confirmed that the four
pendants were very likely Seminole burial objects. Descendants of the
Seminole are members of the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida;
Seminole Nation of Oklahoma; and Seminole Tribe of Florida, Dania, Big
Cypress, Brighton, Hollywood & Tampa Reservations.
Officials of the Denver Museum of Nature & Science have determined
that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (3)(B), the four cultural items
described above are reasonably believed to have been placed with or
near individual human remains at the time of death or later as part of
the death rite or ceremony and are believed to have been removed from a
specific burial site of a Native American individual. Officials of the
Denver Museum of Nature & Science also have determined that, pursuant
to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (2), there is a relationship of shared group identity
that can be reasonably traced between the cultural items and the
Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida; Seminole Nation of Oklahoma;
and Seminole Tribe of Florida, Dania, Big Cypress, Brighton, Hollywood
& Tampa Reservations.
Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to
be culturally affiliated with the unassociated funerary objects should
contact Dr. Chip Colwell-Chanthaphonh, NAGPRA Officer, Department of
Anthropology, Denver Museum of Nature & Science, 2001 Colorado
Boulevard, Denver, CO 80205, telephone (303) 370-6378, before September
29, 2008. Repatriation of the unassociated funerary items to the
Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida; Seminole Nation of Oklahoma;
and Seminole Tribe of Florida, Dania, Big Cypress, Brighton, Hollywood
& Tampa Reservations may proceed after that date
[[Page 50987]]
if no additional claimants come forward.
The Denver Museum of Nature & Science is responsible for notifying
the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida; Seminole Nation of
Oklahoma; and Seminole Tribe of Florida, Dania, Big Cypress, Brighton,
Hollywood & Tampa Reservations that this notice has been published.
Dated: August 4, 2008.
Sherry Hutt,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. E8-20097 Filed 8-28-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-50-S
