Notice of Intended Repatriation: University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, 13874-13875 [2025-05224]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
• National Park Service

[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 58 (Thursday, March 27, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13874-13875]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-05224]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0039771; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]


Notice of Intended Repatriation: University of California, 
Berkeley, Berkeley, CA

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and 
Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the University of California, Berkeley 
intends to repatriate certain cultural items that meet the definition 
of sacred objects and/or objects of cultural patrimony and that have a 
cultural affiliation with the Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian 
organizations in this notice.

DATES: Repatriation of the cultural items in this notice may occur on 
or after April 28, 2025.

ADDRESSES: Alexandra Lucas, Director of Repatriation/Repatriation 
Coordinator, Government and Community Relations (Chancellor's Office), 
University of California, Berkeley, 200 California Hall, Berkeley, CA 
94720, telephone (510) 570-0964, email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice is published as part of the 
National Park Service's administrative responsibilities under NAGPRA. 
The determinations in this notice are the sole responsibility of the 
University of California, Berkeley, and additional information on the 
determinations in this notice, including the results of consultation, 
can be found in the summary or related records. The National Park 
Service is not responsible for the determinations in this notice.

Abstract of Information Available

    A total of nine Pomo cultural items have been requested for 
repatriation. The sacred objects and objects of cultural patrimony are 
from the following accessions Acc.1377, Acc. 1307, and Acc.1702 in the 
Phoebe A Hearst Museum of Anthropology at the University of California, 
Berkeley.
    In February 1963, the Lowie Museum of Anthropology purchased one 
sacred object/object of cultural patrimony. The one sacred object/
object of cultural patrimony is a Big-head dance headdress (Acc.1702) 
from the maker and owner Vivian Fred of Big Valley Rancheria in 
Lakeport, California. The purchase was marked urgent and purchased via 
rush check in 1963.
    On February 7, 1960, Samuel A. Barrett acquired eastern and 
southeastern Pomo cultural items for the Lowie Museum of Anthropology 
(Pheobe A Hearst Museum, Accession Acc.1307). The four objects of 
cultural patrimony include a tule `blanket' for a cradle basket and 
cradle basket, a mud hen bird trap, and a basket start. The one sacred 
object/object of cultural patrimony are components of Bighead dance 
regalia. The circumstances of these acquisitions by Barrett are 
unknown.
    On December 16, 1960, Samuel A. Barrett collected and gifted three 
Pomo cultural items via the American Indian Films Project to the Lowie 
Museum of Anthropology (Phoebe A Hearst Museum) under Accession 1377. 
The one object of cultural patrimony is a tule boat with grapevine 
binding made at Clear Lake, Lake County, attributed to Harry/Henry 
Holmes. The two sacred objects/objects of cultural patrimony include a 
feathered headdress, and a headdress comprising a red cloth square 
bordered with green fringes.
    Collections and collection spaces at the Phoebe A Hearst Museum of 
Anthropology were treated with substances for preservation and pest

[[Page 13875]]

control, some potentially hazardous. No records have been found to date 
at the Museum to indicate whether or not chemicals or natural 
substances were used prior to 1960.

Determinations

    The University of California, Berkeley has determined that:
     The five objects of cultural patrimony described in this 
notice have ongoing historical, traditional, or cultural importance 
central to the Native American group, including any constituent sub-
group (such as a band, clan, lineage, ceremonial society, or other 
subdivision), according to the Native American traditional knowledge of 
an Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization.
     The four sacred objects/objects of cultural patrimony 
described in this notice are, according to the Native American 
traditional knowledge of an Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian 
organization, specific ceremonial objects needed by a traditional 
Native American religious leader for present-day adherents to practice 
traditional Native American religion, and have ongoing historical, 
traditional, or cultural importance central to the Native American 
group, including any constituent sub-group (such as a band, clan, 
lineage, ceremonial society, or other subdivision).
     There is a reasonable connection between the cultural 
items described in this notice and the Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians 
of the Big Valley Rancheria, California.

Requests for Repatriation

    Additional, written requests for repatriation of the cultural items 
in this notice must be sent to the authorized representative identified 
in this notice under ADDRESSES. Requests for repatriation may be 
submitted by any lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian 
organization not identified in this notice who shows, by a 
preponderance of the evidence, that the requestor is a lineal 
descendant or a culturally affiliated Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian 
organization.
    Repatriation of the cultural items in this notice to a requestor 
may occur on or after April 28, 2025. If competing requests for 
repatriation are received, the University of California, Berkeley must 
determine the most appropriate requestor prior to repatriation. 
Requests for joint repatriation of the cultural items are considered a 
single request and not competing requests. The University of 
California, Berkeley is responsible for sending a copy of this notice 
to the Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations identified in 
this notice and to any other consulting parties.
    Authority: Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, 
25 U.S.C. 3004 and the implementing regulations, 43 CFR 10.9.

    Dated: March 17, 2025.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2025-05224 Filed 3-26-25; 8:45 am]
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