[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 48 (Wednesday, March 12, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 11463]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-6184]



[[Page 11463]]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Notice of Intent to Repatriate Cultural Items From Arizona in the 
Possession of the San Diego Museum of Man, San Diego, CA

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

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 San Diego Museum of Man which 
meet the definition of ``sacred objects'' under Section 2 of the Act.
    The nine Hopi Katsina masks consist of Hoote, Half Mask, Kohonina, 
Monakvi, Kowako, Chakwaina, Sipikni, Soyoko, and Mong Koyemsi.
    In 1955, the Katsina Half Mask was acquired by the San Diego Museum 
of Man as part of an exchange with Mr. Ralph Altman of Los Angeles, CA. 
Accession information indicates this Katsina mask's provenience is 
Hopi, Northern Arizona.
    In 1957, the Katsina Hoote was purchased by the San Diego Museum of 
Man from ``Trader Bill'' Berner of Phoenix, AZ. Accession information 
indicates this mask was collected around 1957 in New Oraibi, AZ.
    In 1962, the Katsina masks Kohonina and Monakvi were purchased by 
the San Diego Museum of Man from Mr. Tom Bahti, a dealer in 
Southwestern arts. The accession information lists these masks as Hopi.
    In 1977, the Katsina masks Kowako, Chakwaina, and Sipikni were 
purchased by the San Diego Museum of Man from Hubert Guy. These Katsina 
masks had previously passed through several dealers. The accession 
information indicates the original purchaser, Mr. Ron Munn of La Mesa, 
CA, purchased these Katsina masks from ``a Hopi man.'' The Katsina Mask 
Soyoko was also purchased by the San Diego Museum of Man from Hubert 
Guy, who bought this mask from Mr. Lewis of Snowflake, AZ. The 
accession information indicates these four Katsina masks are from the 
Hopi Reservation.
    In 1977, the Katsina mask Mong Koyemsi was purchased by the San 
Diego Museum of Man from Ron Munn. The accession information lists the 
provenience as the Hopi Reservation.
    Accession information and anthropological evidence indicate these 
Katsina masks are consistent with Hopi practice. Consultation with 
representatives of the Hopi tribe indicates that these Katsina masks 
are needed by traditional religious leaders for the practice of Hopi 
religion by present day adherents.
    Based on the above-mentioned information, officials of the San 
Diego Museum of Man have determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 
3001(3)(C), these nine 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 San Diego Museum of Man 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 items and the Hopi Tribe.
    This notice has been sent to officials of the Hopi Tribe and the 
Navajo Nation. {The Navajo Nation is being notified because of the 
inaccurate inclusion of one of these Katsina friends on their NAGPRA 
summary.} Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes 
itself to be culturally affiliated with these objects should contact 
Ken Hedges, Chief Curator, San Diego Museum of Man, 1350 El Prado, San 
Diego, CA 92101, telephone (619) 239-2001 before April 11, 1997. 
Repatriation of these objects to the Hopi Tribe may begin after that 
date if no additional claimants come forward.

    Dated: March 5, 1997.
Veletta Canouts,
Acting Departmental Consulting Archaeologist, Deputy Manager, 
Archeology and Ethnography Program.
[FR Doc. 97-6184 Filed 3-11-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-M