[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 97 (Wednesday, May 20, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27746-27747]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-13397]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Intent to Repatriate Cultural Items in the Possession 
of the Denver Museum of Natural History, Denver, CO

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 in the possession of the Denver Museum of Natural 
History (DMNH) which meet the definition of ``sacred objects'' and 
``objects of cultural patrimony'' under Section 2 of the Act.
    The 164 cultural items consist of 25 Hopi spirit friends or Katsina 
masks and 31 mask attachments; 59 pahos and prayer feathers; one paho 
holder; three altar figures from Walpi; five Katsina Society dance 
items from Walpi; 21 Mazrau Society dance items from Shungopavi; nine 
Katsina Society dance items from Shungopavi; four Snake Society dance 
items from Shungopavi; two Katsina Society dance items from Oraivi; one 
Mazrau Society dance item from Oraivi; one Snake Society medicine pouch 
from Shungopavi; one Snake Society medicine bundle from Shungopavi; and 
one Mazrau Society ceremonial canteen from Shungopavi.
    In 1973, the three altar figures from Walpi were donated to the 
DMNH by donors whose names are withheld at the DMNH's request. In 1981, 
three of the pahos were donated to the DMNH by a donor whose name is 
withheld at the DMNH's request. Between 1968-1983, the remaining 158 
cultural items were donated to the DMNH by Dr. and Mrs. Frances Crane, 
who had acquired the items from at least 12 different sources, 
including collectors, gift shops, and dealers.
    DMNH accession, catalogue, and computer records indicate these 164 
cultural items are of Hopi origin from Hopi villages in northern 
Arizona. Extensive consultations with representatives of the Hopi Tribe 
and Hopi traditional religious leaders confirm the Hopi identity of 
these cultural items. Representatives of the Hopi Tribe and Hopi 
traditional religious leaders have stated that these 164 cultural items 
are needed by traditional Hopi religious leaders for the practice of 
traditional Native American religion by their present-day adherents; 
and that these items also have on-going historical, traditiona, and 
cultural importance central to the culture itself and could not have 
been alientated by any individual.
    Based on the above-mentioned information, officials of the Denver 
Museum of Natural History have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 
(d)(3), these 164 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 Denver Museum of Natural History have determined that, 
pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (d)(4), these 164 cultural items have ongoing 
historical, traditional, and cultural importance central to the tribe 
itself, and could not have been alienated, appropriated, or conveyed by 
any individual. Officials of the Denver Museum of Natural History 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 Hopi Tribe.
    This notice has been sent to officials of the Hopi Tribe. 
Representatives of

[[Page 27747]]

any other Indian tribe that believes itself to be culturally affiliated 
with these objects should contact Dr. Robert Pickering, Chairman of the 
Anthropology Department, Denver Museum of Natural History, 2001 
Colorado Blvd., Denver, CO 80205; telephone (303) 370-6388 before June 
19, 1998. Repatriation of these objects to the Hopi Tribe may begin 
after that date if no additional claimants come forward.
Dated: May 14, 1998.
Francis P. McManamon,
Departmental Consulting Archeologist,
Manager, Archeology and Ethnography Program.
[FR Doc. 98-13397 Filed 5-19-98; 8:45 am]
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