[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 38 (Monday, February 26, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 7122]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-4201]



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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Notice of Intent to Repatriate a Cultural Item in the Possession 
of the Cheney Cowles Museum, Spokane, WA

AGENCY: National Park Service

ACTION: Notice

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    Notice is hereby given under the Native American Graves Protection 
and Repatriation Act, 25 U.S.C. 3005(a)(2), of the intent to repatriate 
a cultural item in the possession of the Cheney Cowles Museum, Spokane, 
WA which meets the definition of ``sacred object'' under Section 2 of 
the Act.
    The Thunder Bundle consists of weasel and ermine skins, two feather 
fans, small hide and cloth bundles, drum, four pipe stems, grizzly claw 
necklace, six rattles, whip, and a parfleche pouch.
    Authorized representatives of the Blackfeet Business Council acting 
on behalf of the Blackfeet Confederacy (including the Piegan and Blood 
First Nations of Canada) have been provided copies of museum records 
and have viewed the bundle in person. These representatives, including 
traditional religious leaders and a direct descendent of one of the 
original keepers of the bundle, have verified it is the Thunder Bundle 
of the Blackfeet Confederacy. Evidence submitted by the representatives 
of the Blackfeet Nation indicates the last proper keeper of the bundle 
was No Coat in 1899.
    The whereabouts of the bundle were not known between 1899 and 1977 
when the Thunder Bundle was donated to the Museum of Native American 
Cultures by Mr. Myron Sammons of Scottsdale, AZ. In 1992, the Cheney 
Cowles Museum assumed stewardship of the Museum of Native American 
Cultures collections by permission of the Washington State Attorney 
General.
    Based on the above-mentioned information, officials of the Eastern 
Washington State Historical Society/Cheney Cowles Museum have 
determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(C), this cultural item 
is a specific ceremonial object which is needed by traditional Native 
American religious leaders for the practice of traditional Native 
American religions by their present-day adherents. Officials of the 
Eastern Washington State Historical Society/Cheney Cowles Museum have 
also 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 item and the Blackfeet Nation.
    This notice has been sent to officials of the Blackfeet Nation. 
Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to be 
culturally affiliated with this object should contact Mr. Glenn Mason, 
Director, Cheney Cowles Museum, 2316 W. First Avenue, Spokane, WA 
99204, telephone (509) 456-4931 ext. 104 before March 27, 
1996.Repatriation of this object to the Blackfeet Nation on behalf of 
the Blackfeet Confederacy may begin after that date if no additional 
claimants come forward.

    Dated: February 16, 1996.
C. Timothy McKeown,
Acting Departmental Consulting Archeologist, Archeology and Ethnography 
Program.
[FR Doc. 96-4201 Filed 2-23-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-F