[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 40 (Tuesday, March 2, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10161-10162]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-5096]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Intent to Repatriate Cultural Items in the Possession 
of the Arizona State Museum, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ

AGENCY: National Park Service

ACTION: Notice

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[[Page 10162]]

    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 Arizona State Museum (ASM) 
which meet the definition of ``object of cultural patrimony'' under 
Section 2 of the Act.
    The cultural items consist of 38 Chapayeka masks (hiisam) 
constructed of hide, papaer, and paint and 12 Chapayeka spears, swords, 
and daggers constructed of wood and paint.
    In 1932, one Chapayeka mask was purchased by the Arizona State 
Museum at Old Pascua. In 1939, one mask and one sword were donated to 
ASM by Mrs. Josephine Shelby of Sahuarita, AZ. In 1942, one spear was 
collected by Edward Spicer in Huirivis, Sonora, Mexico. Between 1969-
1971, 16 masks were obtained by ASM through Richey Elementary School, 
Tucson, AZ. Around 1970, three masks were made by an unknown person for 
use in a School Loan Kit program. In 1976, three masks were purchased 
by ASM from Tom Bahti Indian Arts, Tucson, AZ. During 1980-1982, eleven 
masks, one spear, six swords, and three daggers were donated to ASM by 
William Hawes Smith. At unknown dates, two masks were purchased by ASM 
from the maker; and one mask was collected by Donna Laney and 
Candelaria Carvajal at Loma de Guamuchil, Sonora, Mexico.
    Museum documentation and consultation with representatives of the 
Pascua Yaqui Tribe indicate that these cultural items are Pascua Yaqui. 
The two Sonoran cultural items are being claimed by the Pascua Yaqui 
Tribe on behalf of the Sonoran Yaqui communities. These cultural items 
have been identified as consistent with known ceremonial and sacred 
items as recorded in ethnographic sources. Representatives of the 
Pascua Yaqui Tribe have also identified these cultural items as having 
ongoing traditional and cultural importance central to the tribe 
itself, and could not have been alienated by any individual.
    Based on the above-mentioned information, officials of the Arizona 
State Museum have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (d)(4), 
these 50 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 Arizona State 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 Pascua Yaqui 
Tribe.
    This notice has been sent to officials of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe. 
Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to be 
culturally affiliated with these objects should contact Alyce Sadongei, 
American Indian Programs Coordinator, Arizona State Museum, University 
of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721; telephone: (520) 621-4609 before April 1, 
1999. Repatriation of these objects to the Pascua Yaqui Tribe may begin 
after that date if no additional claimants come forward.
Dated: February 24, 1999.
Veletta Canouts,
Acting Departmental Consulting Archeologist,
Deputy Manager, Archeology and Ethnography Program.
[FR Doc. 99-5096 Filed 3-1-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-F