[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 170 (Wednesday, September 3, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 46511]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-23366]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Intent to Repatriate Cultural Items from New York in 
the Possession of the Springfield Science Museum, Springfield, MA

AGENCY: National Park Service

ACTION: Notice

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    Notice is hereby given under the Native American Graves Protection 
and Repatriation Act, 43 CFR 10.10 (a)(3), of the intent to repatriate 
cultural items from New York in the possession of the Springfield 
Science Museum which meet the definition of ``cultural patrimony'' 
under Section 2 of the Act.
    The cultural items are a Seneca false face mask and a Seneca corn 
husk mask. The false face mask is black wood with brown horsehair and 
tin eyeplates with a split leather harness to secure the mask at the 
back. The corn husk mask has white cotton shoelace attachment cords.
    Before 1975, these masks were given to Mr. John Hesen of 
Longmeadow, MA by the maker, Mr. Francis Kettle of the Cattaraugus 
Indian Reservation, NY. In 1983, Mrs. Betty S. Hesen donated these 
masks to the Springfield Science Museum.
    Consultation evidence indicates one item is a medicine or false 
face mask. Such masks represent the power of particular medicine 
beings. The other mask, known as a Husk Face, or Bushy Head, is also 
used in ceremonies. Representatives of the Haudenosaunee Standing 
Committee on Burial Rules and Regulations affirm that these masks are 
needed by the traditional religious leaders of the Seneca Nation of 
Indians and the Tonawanda Band of Seneca for the practice of 
traditional ceremonies by present-day adherents. Representatives of the 
Haudenosaunee Standing Committee on Burial Rules and Regulations have 
also stated that false face masks are owned collectively by the members 
of the False Face Society and that corn husk masks are owned by the 
Husk Face Society; and therefore, no individual had the right to sell 
or otherwise alienate the masks.
    Officials of the Springfield Science Museum have determined that, 
pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (3)(D), these two 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 Springfield Science 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 items and the Seneca Nation of Indians and the Tonawanda 
Band of Seneca.
    This notice has been sent to officials of the Haudenosaunee 
Standing Committee on Burial Rules and Regulations, the Seneca Nation 
of Indians, the Tonawanda Band of Seneca, and the Seneca-Cayuga Tribe 
of Oklahoma. Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes 
itself to be culturally affiliated with these objects should contact 
John Pretola, Curator of Anthropology, Springfield Science Museums, 236 
State Street, Springfield, MA 01103; before [thirty days following 
publication in the Federal Register]. Repatriation of these objects to 
the Haudenosaunee Standing Committee on Burial Rules and Regulations on 
behalf of the Seneca Nation of Indians and the Tonawanda Band of Seneca 
may begin after that date if no additional claimants come forward.
Dated: August 28, 1997.
Francis P. McManamon,
Departmental Consulting Archeologist,
Manager, Archeology and Ethnography Program.
[FR Doc. 97-23366 Filed 9-2-97 ; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-F