[Federal Register: July 18, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 139)]
[Notices]
[Page 41375-41376]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr18jy08-110]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
Notice of Intent to Repatriate a Cultural Item: 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 a cultural item in the possession of the U.S. Department
of the Interior, National Park Service, Intermountain Region, Santa Fe,
NM, that meets the definition of ``sacred object'' 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 object was
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 cultural
item covered in this notice is a constellation set with 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.
During consultation, representatives of the Pueblo of Acoma, New
Mexico, identified the cultural item as a specific ceremonial object
needed by traditional Acoma religious leaders for the practice of a
traditional Native American religion by their present-day adherents.
Oral tradition evidence presented by representatives of the Pueblo of
Acoma, New Mexico, and the written repatriation request received by the
Intermountain Region further articulated the ceremonial significance of
the cultural item to the Pueblo of Acoma. Based on anthropological
information, court case documentation, oral tradition, museum records,
consultation evidence, and expert opinion, there is a cultural
affiliation between the Pueblo of Acoma, New Mexico, and the sacred
object.
Officials of the Intermountain Region have determined that,
pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (3)(C), the one cultural item described
above 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
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 object and the Pueblo of Acoma,
New Mexico.
Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to
be culturally affiliated with the sacred object 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 object to the Pueblo of
Acoma, New Mexico 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
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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. E8-16470 Filed 7-17-08; 8:45 am]
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