[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 102 (Friday, May 24, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 26205-26206]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-13095]



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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Notice of Intent to Repatriate Cultural Items in the Possession 
of the Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site, National Park 
Service, Ganado, AZ

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 cultural items in the possession of the Hubbell Trading Post 
National Historic Site, National Park Service, Ganado, AZ which meet 
the definition of ``sacred objects'' under Section 2 of the Act.
    The nineteen items consist of one hide pollen bag; three stone 
fetishes;

[[Page 26206]]

one velvet fetish cover, two projectile points; one crystal; one 
fossilized shell; one pipe with center hole; two prayer stones; two 
polished stones; two prayer sticks; two stone figures bundled with yarn 
and feathers attached; and one coiled Navajo ceremonial basket.
    In 1965, the estate of Mr. Ramon Hubbell donated these items to the 
Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site. Mr. Hubbell had originally 
requested the items for his Night Way Chant in 1925 at which he was 
consecrated to care for and use the items.
    Mr. Sherwin Curley, Ramon Hubbell's grandson, has identified the 
items as necessary for the continued practice of traditional Navajo 
religion by present-day adherents and has claimed them as a lineal 
descendent. Representatives of the Navajo Nation and traditional Navajo 
religious leaders confirm that these items are needed by Ramon 
Hubbell's descendents for on-going ceremonial and religious traditions.
    Based on the above-mentioned information, officials of the National 
Park Service have determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (3)(C), 
these nineteen cultural items 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 National Park Service have also determined, pursuant 
to 25 U.S.C. 3005 (a)(5)(A), that Mr. Sherwin Curley is the direct 
lineal descendant of the individual who owned these sacred objects.
    This notice has been sent to Mr. Sherwin Curley and officials of 
the Navajo Nation. Any other lineal descendent who believes him or 
herself to be culturally affiliated with these objects should contact 
Nancy Stone, Superintendent, Hubbell Trading Post National Historic 
Site, National Park Service, P.O. Box 150, Ganado, AZ 86505, telephone 
(520) 755-3475 before June 24, 1996. Repatriation of these objects to 
Mr. Sherwin Curley may begin after that date if no additional claimants 
come forward.

    Dated: May 20, 1996.
Francis P. McManamon,
Departmental Consulting Archeologist, Chief, Archeology and Ethnography 
Program.
[FR Doc. 96-13095 Filed 5-23-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-F