[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 16 (Wednesday, January 25, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4922-4923]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-1876]



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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Notice of Intent to Repatriate a Cultural Item in the Possession 
of the Navajo Nation Museum, Window Rock, Arizona


AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior


ACTION: Notice

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    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 Navajo Nation Museum, Window Rock, AZ, 
that meets the definitions of ``sacred object'' and ``object of 
cultural patrimony'' under section 2 of the act.
    On November 16, 1993, the Navajo Nation Museum sent summary 
information on their collections to the Oneida Tribe of Indians of 
Wisconsin. In response to this information, representatives of the 
Oneida Tribe of Indians of Wisconsin visited the Navajo Nation Museum 
in October, 1994, identified a carved wooden mask as being a sacred 
object and an object of cultural patrimony, and requested its 
repatriation.
    The carved wooden mask is approximately life size. The nose of the 
mask is twisted at an angle. The eye sockets are lined with copper 
sheeting. Two pieces of horse tail are nailed to the top of the mask so 
that the hair falls on either side of the face. The surface of the mask 
is painted red. A buckskin loop is nailed to the top for hanging the 
mask. Museum records indicate that the mask was ordered from White Deer 
Indian Traders of Stevens Point, Wisconsin, in 1961.
    Representatives of the Oneida Tribe of Indians of Wisconsin have 
identified this item as a medicine or false face mask. Such masks 
represent the power of particular medicine beings. This 
[[Page 4923]] particular mask represents the Red-Faced Spirit, also 
known as Keel-Nose. The Oneida Tribe of Indians of Wisconsin resides 
within sixty miles of Stevens Point, Wisconsin.
    Representatives of the Oneida Tribe of Indians of Wisconsin affirm 
that this specific false face mask is needed by the traditional 
religious leaders of the Oneida Tribe of Indians of Wisconsin for the 
practice of the traditional mid-winter ceremony by present-day 
adherents. Representatives of the Oneida Tribe of Indians of Wisconsin 
also affirm that this false face mask is owned collectively by the 
members of the Oneida Tribe of Indians of Wisconsin and no individual 
had the right to sell or otherwise alienate the mask.
    Based on the above mentioned information, officials of the Navajo 
Nation Museum have determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (2), 
there is a relationship of shared group identity which can be 
reasonably traced between this false face mask and the Oneida Tribe of 
Indians of Wisconsin. Officials of the Navajo Nation Museum have also 
determined that this false face mask meets the definitions of sacred 
object and object of cultural patrimony pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 
(3)(C).
    Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to 
be culturally affiliated with this object should contact Clarenda 
Begay, Museum Director, Navajo Nation Museum, Window Rock, Arizona, 
86515, telephone (602) 871-6673 before February 24, 1995. Repatriation 
of this false face mask to the Oneida Tribe of Indians of Wisconsin can 
begin after that date if no additional claimants come forward.
Dated: January 20, 1995.
Francis P. MacManamon,
Departmental Consulting Archeologist,
Chief, Archeological Assistance Division.
[FR Doc. 95-1876 Filed 1-24-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-F