[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 246 (Monday, December 23, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Page 78248]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-32176]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Intent to Repatriate Cultural Items: University of 
Nevada, Las Vegas, Marjorie Barrick Museum of Natural History, Las 
Vegas, NV

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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    Notice is here given in accordance with the Native American Graves 
Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), 25 U.S.C. 3005, Sec. 7, of 
the intent to repatriate cultural items in the possession of the 
University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Marjorie Barrick Museum of Natural 
History that meet the definition of ``sacred objects'' under 25 U.S.C. 
3001.
    This notice is published as part of the National Park Service's 
administrative responsibilities under NAGPRA, 25 U.S.C. 3003, Sec. 5 
(d)(3). 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 four cultural items are Hopi Kachina Dance Masks: Heheyah from 
First Mesa (catalog 1379), Tasavuh (catalog 1380), 
Sitononoh (catalog 1381), and Heheyah (catalog 1382).
    In 1975, the Marjorie Barrick Museum acquired the masks through a 
donation from Dr. Gary Troyer, a private collector. No information 
regarding the collector's acquisition is known.
    Accession records from the Marjorie Barrick Museum indicate that 
these masks are of Hopi origin. Consultation evidence presented by the 
Katsinmongwi (Kachina Priest) of the Hopi tribe and Hopi religious 
leaders indicate that these objects are sacred and are used by the 
present-day Katsinmongwi for the practice of the Hopi religion. Society 
Priests assert that they are the rightful custodians of these items, as 
the masks require special care, which can only be provided by the 
Katsinmongwi.
    Officials of the Marjorie Barrick Museum of Natural History have 
determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001, Sec. 2 (3)(C), these 
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 Marjorie Barrick Museum of Natural History also have determined 
that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001, Sec. 2(2), there is a relationship of 
shared group identity that can reasonably be traced between these 
sacred objects and the Hopi Tribe of Arizona.
    Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to 
be culturally affiliated with these objects should contact Kate Hahn, 
Marjorie Barrick Museum of Natural History, 4505 Maryland Parkway, Las 
Vegas, Nevada, 89154-4012, telephone (702) 895-3381, before January 22, 
2003. Repatriation of these objects to the Hopi Tribe of Arizona may 
begin after that date if no additional claimants come forward.
    The Marjorie Barrick Museum of Natural History is responsible for 
notifying the Hopi Tribe of Arizona that this notice has been 
published.

    Dated:November 5, 2002
Robert Stearns,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 02-32176 Filed 12-20-02; 8:45 am]
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