[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 18 (Friday, January 26, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 7935]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-2323]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Intent to Repatriate a Cultural Item in the Possession 
of the Ilwaco Heritage Foundation, Ilwaco, WA

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 Ilwaco Heritage Museum, Ilwaco, 
WA, that meets the definitions of ``sacred object'' under Section 2 of 
the Act.
    This notice is published as part of the National Park Service's 
administrative responsibilities under NAGPRA, 43 CFR 10.2(c). The 
determinations within this notice are the sole responsibility of the 
museum that has control over this cultural item. The National Park 
Service is not responsible for determinations within this notice.
    The cultural item is a carved ceremonial staff with the head of 
Raven, 85 cm long (accession number 1987.164/2, catalog number 85.7).
    The cultural item was acquired by the late Charles Bacon of Ilwaco, 
WA, on the Quinault Reservation in Taholah, WA, in 1952. Mr. Bacon 
transferred the cultural item to the Ilwaco Heritage Museum in 1987.
    Cultural affiliation with the Quinault Tribe of the Quinault 
Reservation, Washington, is indicated by the object's place of 
acquisition on the Quinault Reservation in Taholah, WA. Correspondence 
with the Quinault Cultural Center further indicates the object is a 
speaker's staff needed by Quinault traditional religious leaders today 
for ongoing sacred Thunderbird, Wolf, Bear, Sea Lion, Otter, and Raven 
ceremonies, and to honor the First Salmon Ceremony, the Salmon Berry 
Feasts, and Elk Festival. Consultation with the Quinault Cultural 
Center suggests that, since one would expect such an object to be 
handed down from generation to generation within a family group, the 
raven staff also may be an object of cultural patrimony.
    Based on the above-mentioned information, and with the 
recommendation of the staff of the Ilwaco Heritage Museum, the Ilwaco 
Heritage Foundation Board of Directors has determined that, pursuant to 
43 CFR 10.2(d)(3), this cultural item is a specific ceremonial object 
needed by traditional Native American religious leaders for the 
practice of traditional Native American religions by their current-day 
adherents. The Ilwaco Heritage Foundation Board of Directors also has 
determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2(e), there is a relationship of 
shared identity that can be traced between this cultural item and the 
Quinault Tribe of the Quinault Reservation, Washington.
    This notice has been sent to officials of the Quinault Tribe of the 
Quinault Reservation, Washington. Representatives of any other Indian 
tribe that believes itself to be culturally affiliated with this 
cultural item should contact Hobe Kytr, Administrator of the Ilwaco 
Heritage Museum, P.O. Box 153, Ilwaco, WA 98624, telephone (360) 642-
3446, before February 26, 2001. Repatriation of the cultural item to 
the Quinault Tribe of the Quinault Reservation, Washington may begin 
after that date if no additional claimants come forward.

    Dated: January 17, 2001.
John Robbins,
Assistant Director, Cultural Resources Stewardship and Partnerships.
[FR Doc. 01-2323 Filed 1-25-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-F