[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 63 (Monday, April 2, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 17573]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-7983]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Intent to Repatriate Cultural Items in the Possession 
of the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and 
Anthropology, Philadelphia, PA

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 University of Pennsylvania 
Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, Philadelphia, PA, that meet the 
definition of ``object of cultural patrimony'' 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, institution, or Federal agency that has control of these 
cultural items. The National Park Service is not responsible for the 
determinations within this notice.
    The 19 cultural items are ceremonial masks made of painted wood.
    In 1935, Frederica de Laguna collected these cultural items from a 
refuse pit in the village of Holikachuk, AK, during an archeological 
and geological expedition to the middle and lower Yukon River, 
sponsored by the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and 
Anthropology. Following the expedition, these cultural items were 
accessioned into the collections of the University of Pennsylvania 
Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology.
    In 1963, the residents of the village of Holikachuk permanently 
moved to the neighboring village of Grayling, AK. Documentation 
associated with the masks and information provided by representatives 
of Denakkanaaga, Inc., authorized representatives of the Organized 
Village of Grayling (aka Holikachuk), confirms that a shared group 
identity exists between the residents of the village of Holikachuk and 
the residents of present-day Organized Village of Grayling (aka 
Holikachuk). Consultation evidence from the elders from the Organized 
Village of Grayling (aka Holikachuk) and representatives of 
Denakkanaaga, Inc., indicates that, at the time of collection, these 
cultural items were considered to be communal property of the residents 
of the village of Holikachuk and could not properly or legally have 
been sold, alienated, appropriated, conveyed, or taken into ownership 
by any individual.
    Based on the above-mentioned information, officials of the 
University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology have 
determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (d)(4), these 19 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 
University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology also 
have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (e), there is a 
relationship of shared group identity that can be reasonably traced 
between these objects of cultural patrimony and the Organized Village 
of Grayling (aka Holikachuk). This notice has been sent to officials of 
Denakkanaaga, Inc., and the Organized Village of Grayling (aka 
Holikachuk). Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes 
itself to be culturally affiliated with these objects of cultural 
patrimony should contact Dr. Jeremy Sabloff, the Williams Director, 
University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, 33rd 
and Spruce Streets, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6324, telephone (215) 898-
4051, facsimile (215) 898-0657, before May 2, 2001. Repatriation of 
these objects of cultural patrimony to the Organized Village of 
Grayling (aka Holikachuk) may begin after that date if no additional 
claimants come forward.

    Dated: March 16, 2001.
John Robbins,
Assistant Director, Cultural Resources Stewardship and Partnerships.
[FR Doc. 01-7983 Filed 3-30-01; 8:45 am]
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