[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 124 (Friday, June 27, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 34777]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-16904]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service, DOI


Notice of Intent To Repatriate Cultural Items in the Possession 
of the Museum of Northern Arizona, Flagstaff, AZ

AGENCY: National Park Service, DOI.

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 Museum of Northern 
Arizona which meet the definition of ``sacred objects'' and ``objects 
of cultural patrimony'' under Section 2 of the Act.
    The 22 cultural items consist of Kipo Katsina, Wupamok Katsina, 
Huhuwa Katsina, Yoche Katsina, two Koyemsi Katsinam, Mong Katsina, two 
Tangik Katsinam, two Tukwunangmaana Katsinam, three Tukwunangtaaqa 
KaaKatsinam, Katsina Maana, an unknown Katsina, ``Long Haired'' 
Katsina, a Coyote/Fire Clan Katsina, two Water Clan Katsinam, a Katsina 
fragment, and the skull and femurs of a canine.
    In 1942, Yoche Katsina was donated to the Museum of Northern 
Arizona by a private individual. In 1943, Kipo Katsina, Wupamok 
Katsina, and Huhuwa Katsina were donated to the Museum of Northern 
Arizona by a private individual. In 1961, Koyemsi Katsina and Mong 
Katsina were accessioned into the Museum of Northern Arizona 
collections through an exchange with the Chicago Museum of Natural 
History. In 1962, two Tangik Katsinam, two Tuwanagmaana Katsinam, and 
three Tukwanagtaaqa KaaKatsinam were purchased by the Museum of 
Northern Arizona from a private individual. In 1962, Katsina Maana was 
donated to the Museum of Northern Arizona by a private individual. In 
1962, the skull and femurs of a canine were donated to the Museum of 
Northern Arizona by a private individual. In 1966, an unknown Katsina 
was donated to the Museum of Northern Arizona by a private individual 
(this Katsina is currently missing in collection, but has not yet been 
declared lost). In 1978, a Coyote/Fire Clan Katsina, two Water Clan 
Katsinam, and a Katsina fragment were recovered during legally 
authorized excavations by the Museum of Northern Arizona under contract 
with the Commerce Department during improvement projects at Walpi 
Pueblo. 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. Representatives of the Hopi 
Tribe further state that the 21 Katsina and the canine skeletal remains 
have ongoing historical, traditional, and cultural importance central 
to the Hopi Tribe, and could not have been alienated, appropriated, or 
conveyed by any individual. 
    Based on the above-mentioned information, officials of the Museum 
of Northern Arizona have determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 
(3)(C), these 22 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 Museum of Northern Arizona have determined that, 
pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (3)(D), these 22 cultural items have ongoing 
historical, traditional, and cultural importance central to the culture 
itself, and could not have been alienated, appropriated, or conveyed by 
any individual. Officials of the Museum of Northern Arizona 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. 
Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to be 
culturally affiliated with these objects should contact Michael J. Fox, 
Director, Museum of Northern Arizona, 3101 N. Fort Valley Rd., 
Flagstaff, AZ 86001, telephone (520) 774-5213 before July 28, 1997. 
Repatriation of these objects to the Hopi Tribe may begin after that 
date if no additional claimants come forward.
Dated: June 19, 1997.
Francis P. McManamon,
Departmental Consulting Archeologist,
Manager, Archeology and Ethnography Program.
[FR Doc. 97-16904 Filed 6-26-97; 8:45 am]
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