[Federal Register: July 18, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 139)]
[Notices]
[Page 41376]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr18jy08-111]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
Notice of Intent to Repatriate Cultural Items: U.S. Department of
the Interior, National Park Service, Intermountain Region, Santa Fe, NM
AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice.
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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 U.S. Department
of the Interior, National Park Service, Intermountain Region, Santa Fe,
NM, that meet the definition 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
NAGPRA coordinator, Intermountain Region.
In 1994, the National Park Service assisted the Federal Bureau of
Investigation and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service with the
investigation of a Migratory Bird Treaty Act violation. The evidence
included a collection of Native American objects confiscated from the
East-West Trading Post in Santa Fe, NM. Preliminary subject matter
expert review of the collection indicated that the objects were
historically significant and potentially subject to NAGPRA. The
collection was accessioned in 2002 into the Southwest Regional Office
collections, now called the Intermountain Region Office. The two
cultural items from the collection covered in this notice are one
Kachina with feather and one Hopi Tablita with pheasant feathers.
Following adjudication of the case, a detailed assessment of the
objects was made by Intermountain Region (IMR) NAGPRA program staff in
close collaboration with the IMR Museum Services program staff and in
consultation with representatives of potentially affiliated tribes.
Representatives of the Hopi Cultural Preservation Office, acting on
behalf of the Momngwit (Priests) and the Hopi Tribe of Arizona,
identified the cultural items as specific ceremonial objects needed by
the Momngwit for the practice of a traditional Hopi religion by their
present-day adherents. Further, representatives of the Hopi Tribe of
Arizona identified the two cultural items as objects of cultural
patrimony having on-going historical, traditional, and cultural
importance central to the Hopi Tribe that could not be alienated by any
individual. Oral tradition evidence presented by representatives of the
Hopi Tribe of Arizona, and the written repatriation request received by
the Intermountain Region further articulated the ceremonial
significance of the cultural items to the Hopi Tribe of Arizona. Based
on anthropological information, court case documentation, oral
tradition, museum records, consultation evidence, and expert opinion,
there is a cultural affiliation between the Hopi Tribe of Arizona and
the two sacred objects/objects of cultural patrimony.
Officials of the Intermountain Region have determined that,
pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (3)(C), the two 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. Officials of the
Intermountain Region also have determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C.
3001 (3)(D), the two cultural items described above have ongoing
historical, traditional, or cultural importance central to the Native
American group or culture itself, rather than property owned by an
individual. Officials of the Intermountain Region 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 sacred
objects/objects of cultural patrimony and the Hopi Tribe of Arizona.
Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to
be culturally affiliated with the sacred objects/objects of cultural
patrimony should contact Dave Ruppert, NAGPRA Coordinator, NPS
Intermountain Region, 12795 West Alameda Parkway, Lakewood, CO 80228,
telephone (303) 969-2879, before August 18, 2008. Repatriation of the
sacred objects/objects of cultural patrimony to the Hopi Tribe of
Arizona may proceed after that date if no additional claimants come
forward.
The Intermountain Region is responsible for notifying the Apache
Tribe of Oklahoma; Fort Sill Apache Tribe of Oklahoma; Hopi Tribe of
Arizona; Jicarilla Apache Nation, New Mexico; Mescalero Apache Tribe of
the Mescalero Reservation, New Mexico; Navajo Nation, Arizona, New
Mexico & Utah; Ohkay Owingeh, New Mexico (formerly the Pueblo of San
Juan); Pueblo of Acoma, New Mexico; Pueblo of Cochiti, New Mexico;
Pueblo of Jemez, New Mexico; Pueblo of Isleta, New Mexico; Pueblo of
Laguna, New Mexico; Pueblo of Nambe, New Mexico; Pueblo of Picuris, New
Mexico; Pueblo of Pojoaque, New Mexico; Pueblo of San Felipe, New
Mexico; Pueblo of San Ildefonso, New Mexico; Pueblo of Sandia, New
Mexico; Pueblo of Santa Ana, New Mexico; Pueblo of Santa Clara, New
Mexico; Pueblo of Santo Domingo, New Mexico; Pueblo of Taos, New
Mexico; Pueblo of Tesuque, New Mexico; Pueblo of Zia, New Mexico; San
Carlos Apache Tribe of the San Carlos Reservation, Arizona; Tonto
Apache Tribe of Arizona; Ute Mountain Tribe of the Ute Mountain
Reservation, Colorado, New Mexico & Utah; White Mountain Apache Tribe
of the Fort Apache Reservation, Arizona; Yavapai-Apache Nation of the
Camp Verde Indian Reservation, Arizona; Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo of Texas;
and Zuni Tribe of the Zuni Reservation, New Mexico that this notice has
been published.
Dated: June 24, 2008
Sherry Hutt,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. E8-16469 Filed 7-17-08; 8:45 am]
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