[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 7 (Monday, January 12, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1872-1873]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-659]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Intent to Repatriate a Cultural Item in the Possession 
of the Oklahoma Historical Society, Oklahoma City, OK

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 
a cultural item in the possession of the Oklahoma Historical Society, 
Oklahoma City, OK which meets the definition of ``sacred object'' and 
``object of cultural patrimony'' under 43 CFR 10.2 (d).
    The cultural item is a pipe consisting of a unworked tubular L-
shaped catlinite bowl and wooden stem. The wooden stem is carved in 
alternating spiral and disc shapes, and the spiral sections have 
yellow, blue, and red paints applied. Attached to the stem is one 
broken semi-tanned thong and two additional thongs threaded through 
five tubular bone sections followed by a tin cone at the end.

[[Page 1873]]

    In 1928, this pipe was donated to the Oklahoma Historical Society 
by Mr. W.T. Gault (Goit Collection). Donor information indicates that 
W.P. Campbell collected this pipe in Oklahoma City in 1911 from Burnt-
All-Over. Accession records list this pipe as ``Cheyenne.'' However, a 
1914 publication of the Society's Historia states that Mr. Goit 
``received these items directly from the hands of the original owners'' 
and that the donation was actually made in 1914.
    No information is known by the Oklahoma Historical Society or has 
been presented by the Northern Cheyenne Tribe of Montana regarding the 
pipe's possession by Burnt-All-Over (1837-1917). Oral tradition 
evidence presented by representatives of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe of 
Montana, including Mr. James Blackwolf, Keeper of the Sacred Medicine 
Hat Bundle, indicates this pipe originally came from the Sacred 
Medicine Hat Bundle. Representatives of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe of 
Montana have indicated this pipe is necessary for the practice of 
traditional Native American religion by present-day adherents. 
Representatives of the Northern Cheyenne have further stated that 
``This Pipe was and still is essential to the wholeness and well-being 
of the Sacred Hat, a sacred covenant of the Cheyenne People which has 
been with them since time immemorial.'' Finally, representatives of the 
Northern Cheyenne Tribe of Montana have stated that this pipe has 
ongoing historical, traditional, and cultural importance central to the 
culture itself and could not be alienated by any individual.
    Based on the above-mentioned information, officials of the Oklahoma 
Historical Society have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 
(d)(3), this cultural item is 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 Oklahoma Historical Society have determined that, 
pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (d)(4), this cultural item has 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 Oklahoma Historical Society have also 
determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (e), there is a relationship 
of shared group identity which can be reasonably traced between this 
item and the Northern Cheyenne Tribe of Montana.
    This notice has been sent to officials of the Cheyenne and Arapaho 
Tribes of Oklahoma and the Northern Cheyenne Tribe of Montana. 
Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to be 
culturally affiliated with these objects should contact Jeffrey Briley, 
Registrar, Oklahoma Historical Society, 2100 N. Lincoln Blvd., Oklahoma 
City, OK 73105; telephone: (405) 522-5247 before February 11, 1998. 
Repatriation of these objects to the Northern Cheyenne Tribe of Montana 
may begin after that date if no additional claimants come forward.
    The National Park Service is not responsible for the determinations 
within this notice.
Dated: January 6, 1998.
Francis P. McManamon,
Departmental Consulting Archeologist,
Manager, Archeology and Ethnography Program.
[FR Doc. 98-659 Filed 1-9-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING Code 4310-70-F