[Federal Register: July 18, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 139)]
[Notices]
[Page 41376-41377]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr18jy08-112]
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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,
[[Page 41377]]
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
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 three
cultural items covered in this notice are one set of wooden figures,
one chest plate, and one Zuni constellation set.
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, a representative of the Zuni Tribe of the Zuni
Reservation, New Mexico, identified the cultural items as specific
ceremonial objects needed by traditional Zuni religious leaders for the
practice of a traditional Native American religion by their present-day
adherents. Oral tradition evidence presented by representatives of the
Zuni Tribe of the Zuni Reservation, New Mexico, and the written
repatriation request received by the Intermountain Region further
articulated the ceremonial significance of the cultural items to the
Zuni Tribe of the Zuni Reservation, New Mexico. Based on
anthropological information, court case documentation, oral tradition,
museum records, consultation evidence, and expert opinion, there is a
cultural affiliation between the Zuni Tribe of the Zuni Reservation,
New Mexico, and the three sacred objects.
Officials of the Intermountain Region have determined that,
pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (3)(C), the three 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 (2), there is a relationship of shared group identity that can be
reasonably traced between the sacred objects and the Zuni Tribe of the
Zuni Reservation, New Mexico.
Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to
be culturally affiliated with the sacred objects 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 to the Zuni Tribe
of the Zuni Reservation, 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 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. E8-16471 Filed 7-17-08; 8:45 am]
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