![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090121060125im_/http://www.nps.gov/history/nagpra/fed_notices/graphics/naghead.gif)
Notice of Intent to Repatriate a Cultural Item in the Possession of
the Denver Art Museum
AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior
ACTION: Notice
_________________________________________________________________
Notice is hereby given under the Native American Graves Protection and
Repatriation Act of 1990 of the intent to repatriate a cultural item
in the possession of the Denver Art Museum, Denver, CO, that meets the
definition of "sacred object" under section 2 of the act.
The Elk Tongue Beaver Bundle consists of animal bodies or skins, a
beaver tail, a buffalo tail, a feather fan, a pipe stem and catlinite
bowl, beaded bags, forked sticks, split sticks, and eight rawhide
rattles in a corn husk bag, all surrounded by a painted leather
wrapping and a red plaid shawl. The original owner was Elk Tongue, a
northern Piegan. The bundle was subsequently transferred through a
series of bundle keepers -- Hairy Belly, Not Good, Scraping White,
Wolf Bull, and Little Dog -- before being sold to Madge Hardin Walters
of San Diego, CA. The Denver Art Museum purchased the bundle from Ms.
Walters in 1940.
Evidence provided by the Blackfeet Tribal Business Council, on the
behalf of Mr. George G. Kipp, III, and Mrs. Melinda Kipp, confirms
that the Elk Tongue Beaver Bundle is needed by traditional Blackfeet
religious leaders for the practice of traditional Blackfeet religion
by present day adherents. The Pikuni Traditionalist Association,
Chief Leonard Bastien of the Piegan Nation, Alberta, Canada, and the
Blackfeet Tribal Business Council unanimously support Mr. and Mrs.
Kipp as the appropriate bundle keepers. The Denver Art Museum's
Collection Committee and Board of Trustees has reviewed the request
for repatriation and has no objection. The Elk Tongue Beaver Bundle
has been loaned to the Blackfeet Tribal Business Council, on the
behalf of Mr. and Mrs. Kipp, pending publication of this notice.
Authorities of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service have been
contacted regarding applicability of Federal endangered species
statutes to this transfer and have concurred in the conclusion that
the object is not covered due to its age.
Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to be
culturally affiliated with this object should contact Dr. Nancy J.
Blomberg, Curator of Native Arts, Denver Art Museum, 100 W. 14th
Avenue Parkway, Denver, CO 80204, telephone: (303) 839-4806 before
August 19, 1994. Repatriation of the object to the Blackfeet Nation,
on behalf of George and Melinda Kipp, may begin after that date if no
additional claimants come forward.
Dated: July 14, 1994
Dr. Francis P. McManamon
Departmental Consulting Archeologist
Chief, Archeological Assistance Division
[FR Doc. 94-17599 Filed 7-19-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-F
FederalRegister/Vol.59,No.138/Wednesday,July20,1994/Notices 37052 &
37053
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