[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 21 (Monday, February 2, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 5403]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-2458]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Intent to Repatriate Cultural Items in the Possession 
of the Mesa Southwest Museum, Mesa, AZ

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.
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 in the possession of the Mesa Southwest Museumwhich meet 
the definition of ``objects of cultural patrimony'' under Section 2 of 
the Act.
    The items are one Navajo Talking God yei mask, and one Navajo 
Monster Slayer yei mask. These are case masks made of buckskin and 
painted.
    In 1986, these two masks were donated to the museum by a private 
individual.
    The cultural affiliation of these masks is clearly Navajo as 
documented by museum records and through consultation with 
representatives of the Navajo Nation. Representatives of the Navajo 
Nation have documented the ongoing historical, traditional, and 
cultural importance of these items, and that they could not have been 
alienated by any individual tribal member.
    Based on the above-mentioned information, officials of the Mesa 
Southwest Museum have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (d)(4), 
these 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 Mesa Southwest Museum 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 these items and the Navajo Nation.
    This notice has been sent to officials of the Navajo Nation. 
Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to be 
culturally affiliated with these objects should contact Tray C. Mead, 
Museum Administrator, Mesa Southwest Museum, 53 N. Macdonald, Mesa, AZ 
85201; or telephone Dr. Susan Shaffer Nahmias, NAGPRA/Tribal Liaison at 
(602) 644-2563 before March 4, 1998. Repatriation of these objects to 
the Navajo Nation may begin after that date if no additional claimants 
come forward.
Dated: January 28, 1998.
Francis P. McManamon,
Departmental Consulting Archeologist,
Manager, Archeology and Ethnography Program.
[FR Doc. 98-2458 Filed 1-30-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-F