[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 42 (Tuesday, March 4, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 9801]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-5215]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Notice of Intent to Repatriate Cultural Items in the Possession 
of the Arizona State Museum, University of Arizona, Tucson, 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 Arizona State 
Museum, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, which meet the definition of 
``sacred object'' under Section 2 of the Act.
    The cultural items are two Hopi spirit friends or katsina masks 
worn in Katsina dances. The spirit friends are known as Niman and 
Heheya.
    In 1929, the spirit friend Niman was donated to the Arizona State 
Museum by an anonymous donor. The museum's accession information states 
this spirit friend was collected from the Hopi Pueblos. In 1964, the 
spirit friend Heheya was donated to the Arizona State Museum by the 
Arizona Pioneers Historical Society. The cultural affiliation of these 
cultural items is clearly Hopi as documented in museum records and 
verified by the Katsinmomngwit (traditional religious leaders) of the 
Hopi Tribe. During consultation, the Katsinmomngwit and representatives 
of the Hopi Tribe identified these two katsina masks as specific 
ceremonial objects which are needed by traditional religious leaders 
for the practice of the Hopi religion by present-day adherents.
    Based on the above-mentioned information, officials of the Arizona 
State Museum have determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (3)(C), 
these two 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 Arizona State 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 these cultural items 
and the Hopi Tribe.
    This notice has been sent to officials of the Hopi Tribe and the 
Pueblo of Zuni. Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes 
itself to be culturally affiliated with these objects should contact 
Nancy Odegaard, Acting Curator of Collections, Arizona State Museum, 
University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, telephone (520) 621-6314 
before April 3, 1997. Repatriation of these objects to the Hopi Tribe 
may begin after that date if no additional claimants come forward.
Dated: February 24, 1997.
Francis P. McManamon,
Departmental Consulting Archeologist,
    Manager, Archeology and Ethnography Program.
[FR Doc. 97-5215 Filed 3-3-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE BILLING CODE 4310-70-F