[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 73 (Wednesday, April 16, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 18649]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-9835]



[[Page 18649]]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Intent to Repatriate Cultural Items from Arizona in the 
Possession of the Laboratory of Anthropology, Museum of Indian Arts and 
Culture, Museum of New Mexico, Santa Fe, NM

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 Laboratory of 
Anthropology, Museum of Indian Arts and Culture, Museum of New Mexico, 
Santa Fe, NM, which meet the definition of ``sacred objects'' under 
Section 2 of the Act.
    The five cultural items are Hopi Katsina Spirit Friends (masks), 
including Nimu, Hemis, Tasap, Tassop-mu' Kwaama, and Mastop.
    Between 1900-1901, Stanley McCormick led an ethnographic and 
archeological collection project to Arizona and New Mexico for the 
Field Museum, Chicago, IL, during which Mr. H.R. Voth collected or 
secured these five masks through Charles Owen. These masks were then 
accessioned into the collections of the Field Museum. In 1932 and 1933, 
these masks were purchased by the Laboratory of Anthropology, which 
became part of the Museum of New Mexico in 1947.
    Accession records of the Field Museum and the Museum of New Mexico 
clearly indicate these Spirit Friends are of Hopi origin from Hopi 
villages in Northern Arizona. Consultation evidence presented by 
representatives of the Hopi tribe and Hopi traditional religious 
leaders identified these Katsina Friends as objects needed by 
traditional Native American religious leaders for the practice of 
traditional Native American religions by their present-day adherents. 
Consultation with representatives of the Hopi Tribe further indicate 
that the Katsinmomngwit (Hopi traditional religious leaders) are the 
only rightful custodians of the Katsina Friends.
    Based on the above-mentioned information, officials of the Museum 
of New Mexico have determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (3)(C), 
these five 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. 
Lastly, officials of the Museum of New Mexico 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 these items and the 
Hopi Tribe.
    This notice has been sent to officials of the Hopi Tribe. 
Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to be 
culturally affiliated with these objects should contact Dr. Bruce 
Bernstein, Director, Museum of Indian Arts and Culture, Museum of New 
Mexico, P.O. Box 2087, Santa Fe, NM 87504-2087; telephone (505) 827-
6344 before May 16, 1997. Repatriation of these objects to the Hopi 
Tribe may begin after that date if no additional claimants come 
forward.
Dated: April 9, 1997.
Francis P. McManamon,
Departmental Consulting Archeologist,
Manager, Archeology and Ethnography Program.
[FR Doc. 97-9835 Filed 4-15-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-F