Notice of Intent to Repatriate a Cultural Item: Denver Museum of Nature & Science, Denver, CO, 50985-50986 [E8-20109]
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Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 169 / Friday, August 29, 2008 / Notices
address, as set forth in the ADDRESSES
section above.
Before including your phone number,
e-mail address, or other personal
identifying information in your protest,
you should be aware that your entire
protest—including your personal
identifying information—may be made
publicly available at any time. While
you can ask us in your protest to
withhold your personal identifying
information from public review, we
cannot guarantee that we will be able to
do so.
Authority: 40 CFR 1506.6, 43 CFR 1610.2,
43 CFR 1610.5–1.
Dated: June 5, 2008.
Selma Sierra,
Utah State Director.
[FR Doc. E8–19950 Filed 8–28–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–DQ–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
Notice of Intent to Repatriate a Cultural
Item: 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 a cultural item in the
possession of the Denver Museum of
Nature & Science, Denver, CO, which
meets the definitions of ‘‘sacred object’’
and ‘‘object 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
item. The National Park Service is not
responsible for the determinations in
this notice.
The cultural item is a ‘‘piki stone’’
from the Pueblo of Cochiti, New Mexico
(A661.1). The piki stone is a sandstone
slab, measuring approximately 26 x 19
x 2 inches, with the top surface
blackened from baking. On November
10, 1972, the museum purchased the
stone for $150 from Mr. Juan Melchoir
of Cochiti Pueblo. Museum accession
notes indicate that the stone dates to
about 1930 and ‘‘was used by his family
for several generations for baking piki
bread.’’ The stone has long been a part
of the museum’s ‘‘Hopi House’’ exhibit
VerDate Aug<31>2005
17:32 Aug 28, 2008
Jkt 214001
in the Crane American Indian Cultures
Hall.
During a consultation in the early
1990s, a group of council
representatives from the Pueblo of
Cochiti, New Mexico visited the
museum and identified the stone as
coming from the pueblo and determined
that it was a sacred object and object of
cultural patrimony; however, a formal
claim was not officially submitted until
2006. The claim states that the Pueblo
of Cochiti believes the stone ‘‘was stored
by Mr. Melchoir during remodeling
phases of a traditional cooking building
and sold to the individual who’’ sold it
to the museum and could not have been
alienated by Mr. Melchoir, and thus is
an object of cultural patrimony. The
formal claim also states that the stone
‘‘was used, and if repatriated would
continue to be used, in traditional
cooking ceremonies, conducted
throughout the year by appointed
Cochiti women, during times of
traditional society events. These events
involve many culturally sensitive
ceremonies in which cooking, and piki
bread, are of major significance to
conduct the ceremony.’’ Thus, the claim
asserts that the stone is also a sacred
object.
‘‘Piki’’ is a borrowed Hopi term to
describe the wafer bread, while some
use the Tewa term guayave, or a
variation thereof; and at Cochiti it is
ma’tzin. At Cochiti, the ‘‘piki stone’’
itself is also referred to as a comal or
yo’asha. The anthropology and
documentary literature has little
information about yo’asha at the Pueblo
of Cochiti. The few references that could
be found would suggest that such stones
are ‘‘privately owned real property’’
which can be owned, exchanged,
traded, purchased, and inherited.
Although the tribe concurs that some
stones are privately held, during
consultation, the Pueblo of Cochiti
offered compelling evidence that a few
special ones are communally owned
and are stored in communal piki
houses. They are used by community
members for specific ceremonies, thus
making them objects of cultural
patrimony and sacred objects. Because
museum documentation states that the
stone in this notice was sold by Mr.
Melchoir, the Pueblo knows its history,
and that it was used by the entire
community for religious events. Mr.
Melchoir was responsible for the piki
house in which the stone was placed,
but the tribe claims that the people
knew it was a house for everyone. Each
year, specific leaders are appointed to
do things on behalf of the entire
community. According to tribal
consultation, currently there is one
PO 00000
Frm 00061
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
50985
communal piki house with one stone,
an example of a shared place for making
ma’tzin for ceremonies. The stone in the
museum’s possession came from a
house of this type, and if returned, will
go back into this particular house.
Anthropology and documentary
literature does confirm that piki bread is
used by many pueblos during religious
ceremonies. For the people of Cochiti,
ma’tzin was a traditional everyday
foodstuff, but it was also eaten on
religious feast days and for celebrations.
The Pueblo of Cochiti concurs that
ma’tzin was an everyday food item, but
also emphasizes that it could have deep
religious meanings at particular times
and events. The Publeo of Chociti
NAGPRA representative, Mr. Lee Suina,
explained, ‘‘You can go to a restaurant
and have wine and bread, but when you
go to church and eat wine and bread, it
has more meaning. Since we know the
piki was for this specific reason, then
it’s special. It’s not an everyday form of
bread, in this case.’’ Mr. Suina
explained that prayers were likely
offered when the stone was quarried,
and prayers were offered when the stone
was used to make ma’tzin for numerous
ceremonies.
Officials of the Denver Museum of
Nature & Science have determined that,
pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (3)(C), the
cultural item 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.
Officials of the Denver Museum of
Nature & Science have also determined
that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (3)(D),
the cultural item has ongoing historical,
traditional, or cultural importance
central to the Native American group or
culture itself, rather than property
owned by an individual. Lastly, officials
of the Denver Museum of Nature &
Science have determined that, pursuant
to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (2), there is a
relationship of shared group identity
which can be reasonably traced between
the sacred object/object of cultural
patrimony and the Pueblo of Cochiti,
New Mexico.
Representatives of any other Indian
tribe that believes itself to be culturally
affiliated with the sacred object/object
of cultural patrimony should contact Dr.
Chip Colwell-Chanthaphonh, Curator of
Anthropology and 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
sacred object/object of cultural
patrimony to the Pueblo of Cochiti, New
E:\FR\FM\29AUN1.SGM
29AUN1
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
VerDate Aug<31>2005
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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Frm 00062
Fmt 4703
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
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 169 (Friday, August 29, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50985-50986]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-20109]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
Notice of Intent to Repatriate a Cultural Item: 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 a cultural item in the possession of the Denver Museum of
Nature & Science, Denver, CO, which meets the definitions of ``sacred
object'' and ``object 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
item. The National Park Service is not responsible for the
determinations in this notice.
The cultural item is a ``piki stone'' from the Pueblo of Cochiti,
New Mexico (A661.1). The piki stone is a sandstone slab, measuring
approximately 26 x 19 x 2 inches, with the top surface blackened from
baking. On November 10, 1972, the museum purchased the stone for $150
from Mr. Juan Melchoir of Cochiti Pueblo. Museum accession notes
indicate that the stone dates to about 1930 and ``was used by his
family for several generations for baking piki bread.'' The stone has
long been a part of the museum's ``Hopi House'' exhibit in the Crane
American Indian Cultures Hall.
During a consultation in the early 1990s, a group of council
representatives from the Pueblo of Cochiti, New Mexico visited the
museum and identified the stone as coming from the pueblo and
determined that it was a sacred object and object of cultural
patrimony; however, a formal claim was not officially submitted until
2006. The claim states that the Pueblo of Cochiti believes the stone
``was stored by Mr. Melchoir during remodeling phases of a traditional
cooking building and sold to the individual who'' sold it to the museum
and could not have been alienated by Mr. Melchoir, and thus is an
object of cultural patrimony. The formal claim also states that the
stone ``was used, and if repatriated would continue to be used, in
traditional cooking ceremonies, conducted throughout the year by
appointed Cochiti women, during times of traditional society events.
These events involve many culturally sensitive ceremonies in which
cooking, and piki bread, are of major significance to conduct the
ceremony.'' Thus, the claim asserts that the stone is also a sacred
object.
``Piki'' is a borrowed Hopi term to describe the wafer bread, while
some use the Tewa term guayave, or a variation thereof; and at Cochiti
it is ma'tzin. At Cochiti, the ``piki stone'' itself is also referred
to as a comal or yo'asha. The anthropology and documentary literature
has little information about yo'asha at the Pueblo of Cochiti. The few
references that could be found would suggest that such stones are
``privately owned real property'' which can be owned, exchanged,
traded, purchased, and inherited. Although the tribe concurs that some
stones are privately held, during consultation, the Pueblo of Cochiti
offered compelling evidence that a few special ones are communally
owned and are stored in communal piki houses. They are used by
community members for specific ceremonies, thus making them objects of
cultural patrimony and sacred objects. Because museum documentation
states that the stone in this notice was sold by Mr. Melchoir, the
Pueblo knows its history, and that it was used by the entire community
for religious events. Mr. Melchoir was responsible for the piki house
in which the stone was placed, but the tribe claims that the people
knew it was a house for everyone. Each year, specific leaders are
appointed to do things on behalf of the entire community. According to
tribal consultation, currently there is one communal piki house with
one stone, an example of a shared place for making ma'tzin for
ceremonies. The stone in the museum's possession came from a house of
this type, and if returned, will go back into this particular house.
Anthropology and documentary literature does confirm that piki
bread is used by many pueblos during religious ceremonies. For the
people of Cochiti, ma'tzin was a traditional everyday foodstuff, but it
was also eaten on religious feast days and for celebrations. The Pueblo
of Cochiti concurs that ma'tzin was an everyday food item, but also
emphasizes that it could have deep religious meanings at particular
times and events. The Publeo of Chociti NAGPRA representative, Mr. Lee
Suina, explained, ``You can go to a restaurant and have wine and bread,
but when you go to church and eat wine and bread, it has more meaning.
Since we know the piki was for this specific reason, then it's special.
It's not an everyday form of bread, in this case.'' Mr. Suina explained
that prayers were likely offered when the stone was quarried, and
prayers were offered when the stone was used to make ma'tzin for
numerous ceremonies.
Officials of the Denver Museum of Nature & Science have determined
that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (3)(C), the cultural item 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. Officials of the Denver
Museum of Nature & Science have also determined that, pursuant to 25
U.S.C. 3001 (3)(D), the cultural item has ongoing historical,
traditional, or cultural importance central to the Native American
group or culture itself, rather than property owned by an individual.
Lastly, officials of the Denver Museum of Nature & Science have
determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (2), there is a
relationship of shared group identity which can be reasonably traced
between the sacred object/object of cultural patrimony and the Pueblo
of Cochiti, New Mexico.
Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to
be culturally affiliated with the sacred object/object of cultural
patrimony should contact Dr. Chip Colwell-Chanthaphonh, Curator of
Anthropology and 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 sacred object/object of cultural patrimony to the Pueblo of
Cochiti, New
[[Page 50986]]
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
