[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 45 (Friday, March 7, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 11138]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-5507]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Intent to Repatriate Cultural Items: Oakland Museum of 
California, Oakland, CA

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 
Oakland Museum of California, Oakland, CA, 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 cultural items are two 19th-century shamans' power figures 
(Oakland Museum of California accession number H18.781A-B). Both are 
carved from wood and depict human figures with a three-step facial 
structure and a skeletal body structure. The first figure (H81.781A) is 
carved with its hands on its belly and measures 18 inches by 1.5 inches 
by 1 inch. The second figure (H18.781B) is carved with its hands at its 
sides and measures 17 inches by 1.75 inches by 1.5 inches. It has 
inlaid shell eyes and a broken base.
    Both figures were donated to the Oakland Public Museum (now Oakland 
Museum of California) in 1927 by Mrs. A. Ellwood Brown. It is unknown 
how and when Mrs. Brown acquired these figures. They originally were 
described and catalogued as coming from the Pacific Islands.
    Modern researchers have identified these objects as Quinault 
shamans' figures. Lawrence Dawson of the Lowie Museum of Anthropology 
(now Phoebe A. Hearst Museum of Anthropology) at the University of 
California, Berkeley, CA, identified the figures as shamans' wands 
originating from the Olympic Peninsula, WA. Dr. Robin Wright, Curator 
of Native American Art at the Burke Museum, University of Washington, 
Seattle, WA, described them as Quinault shamans' power figures. Similar 
objects are described as Quinault shamans' rattles by Ronald Olsen in 
his 1967 book, ``The Quinault Indian. Adze, Canoe, and House Types of 
the Northwest Coast.'' Consultation evidence presented by 
representatives of the Quinault Tribe of the Quinault Reservation, 
Washington confirms that these figures are used in potlatches and other 
ceremonies, including the first salmon ceremony, the salmonberry feast, 
and the elk ceremony. Representatives of the Quinault Tribe of the 
Quinault Reservation, Washington have also stated that these objects 
are needed by traditional religious leaders for the practice of 
traditional Native American religions by their present-day adherents.
    Officials of the Oakland Museum of California 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 Oakland 
Museum of California also have determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 
3001, Sec. 2 (2), there is a relationship of shared group identity that 
can be reasonably traced between these sacred objects and the Quinault 
Tribe of the Quinault Reservation, Washington.
    Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to 
be culturally affiliated with these sacred objects should contact Ms. 
Carey Caldwell, Curator of Special Projects, History Department, 
Oakland Museum of California, 1000 Oak Street, Oakland, CA 94607-4892, 
telephone (510) 238-3842, before April 7, 2003. Repatriation of these 
sacred objects to the Quinault Tribe of the Quinault Reservation, 
Washington may proceed after that date if no additional claimants come 
forward.
    The Oakland Museum of California is responsible for notifying the 
Quinault Tribe of the Quinault Reservation, Washington that this notice 
has been published.

    Dated: January 21, 2003.
John Robbins,
Assistant Director, Cultural Resources Stewardship and Partnerships.
[FR Doc. 03-5507 Filed 3-6-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-S