Notice of Intent To Repatriate Cultural Items: New York State Museum, Albany, NY, 51869-51870 [2017-24227]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
• National Park Service

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 215 (Wednesday, November 8, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51869-51870]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-24227]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0024160; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]


Notice of Intent To Repatriate Cultural Items: New York State 
Museum, Albany, NY

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The New York State Museum, in consultation with the 
appropriate Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations, has 
determined that the cultural items listed in this notice meet the 
definition of sacred objects. 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 to the New York State Museum. If no additional claimants come 
forward, transfer of control of the cultural items 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 these cultural items should submit a written request with 
information in support of the claim to the New York State Museum at the 
address in this notice by December 8, 2017.

ADDRESSES: Lisa Anderson, New York State Museum, 3049 Cultural 
Education Center, Albany, NY 12230, telephone (518) 486-2020, email 
lisa.anderson@nysed.gov.

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 cultural items under the 
control of the New York State Museum, Albany, NY, that meet the 
definition of sacred 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.

History and Description of the Cultural Items

    In 1850, the New York State Museum (hereafter ``Museum'') purchased 
one cultural item from Lewis Henry Morgan of Rochester, NY. The 
cultural item is a wooden medicine mask that Morgan obtained from a 
member of the Onondaga Nation at the Six Nations Reserve in Canada (E-
36909).
    In 1898, Harriet Maxwell Converse of New York City, NY, donated 
five cultural items to the Museum. The cultural items are five wooden 
medicine masks (E-37015, E-37043, E-37614, E-37626, E-94). Museum 
records indicate one of the masks was purchased from the son of 
Tadodaho in July 1898.
    In 1907, the Museum purchased one cultural item from Mark R. 
Harrington of Covert and Harrington in New York City, NY. The cultural 
item is a wood and cornhusk medicine mask obtained from Albert 
Silversmith at the Six Nations Reserve in Canada (E-37018).
    In 1911, Arthur C. Parker, Museum ethnologist and archeologist, 
acquired one cultural item for the Museum. The cultural item is a 
wooden medicine mask obtained (E-37037).
    Traditional religious leaders of the Onondaga Nation have 
identified these eight medicine faces as being needed for the practice 
of traditional Native American religions by present-day adherents. 
Museum documentation, supported by oral evidence presented during 
consultation with members of the Haudenosaunee Standing Committee on 
Burial Rules and Regulations, indicates that these medicine faces are 
culturally affiliated with the Onondaga Nation.

Determinations Made by the New York State Museum

    Officials of the New York State Museum have determined that:
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(C), the 8 cultural items 
described above are specific ceremonial objects 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(2), there is a relationship of 
shared group identity that can be reasonably traced between the sacred 
objects and the Onondaga Nation.

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

[[Page 51870]]

Lisa Anderson, New York State Museum, 3049 Cultural Education Center, 
Albany, NY 12230 telephone (518) 486-2020, email 
lisa.anderson@nysed.gov, by December 8, 2017. After that date, if no 
additional claimants have come forward, transfer of control of the 
sacred objects to the Onondaga Nation may proceed.
    The New York State Museum is responsible for notifying the Cayuga 
Nation; Oneida Nation (previously listed as the Oneida Tribe of Indians 
of Wisconsin); Oneida Nation of New York; Onondaga Nation; Saint Regis 
Mohawk Tribe (previously listed as the St. Regis Band of Mohawk Indians 
of New York); Seneca Nation of Indians (previously listed as the Seneca 
Nation of New York); Seneca-Cayuga Nation (previously listed as the 
Seneca-Cayuga Tribe of Oklahoma); Tonawanda Band of Seneca (previously 
listed as the Tonawanda Band of Seneca Indians of New York); and the 
Tuscarora Nation that this notice has been published.

    Dated: September 15, 2017.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2017-24227 Filed 11-7-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4312-52-P