[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 45 (Friday, March 7, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 11135]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-5508]



[[Page 11135]]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Intent to Repatriate a Cultural Item: American Museum 
of Natural History, New York, NY

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 a cultural item in the possession of the 
American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY, that meets the 
definition of ``object of cultural patrimony'' 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 item is a hat resembling a Tlingit spruce wood hat but 
made of brass. A row of sea lion whiskers inserted into the hat extends 
halfway around the base. The whiskers are held in place by twisted 
thread. Faceted blue, red, and amber beads are attached to the bases of 
most of the whiskers. Smaller blue and white beads are attached in 
various places along the length of some of the whiskers. The hat is 
topped with four cylinders surmounted by a four-scrolled finial, all 
made of brass.
    The brass hat was procured by George Thorton Emmons at an unknown 
date. In 1894, the American Museum of Natural History acquired the 
brass hat from Mr. Emmons and accessioned this cultural item into its 
collection the same year.
    The cultural affiliation of this item is Sitka Tlingit as indicated 
by museum records and by representatives of Central Council Tlingit and 
Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska during consultation. Central Council 
Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska has filed a claim for this 
cultural item on behalf of the Kiks.adi Clan of Sitka. Museum records 
and consultation with Central Council Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes 
of Alaska indicate that the brass hat was given to a Sitka Kiks.adi 
Clan chief.
    Officials of the American Museum of Natural History have determined 
that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001, Sec. 2 (3)(D), this cultural item has 
ongoing historical, traditional, or cultural importance central to the 
Native American group or culture itself, rather than property owned by 
an individual. Officials of the American 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 be reasonably traced 
between this object of cultural patrimony and Central Council Tlingit 
and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska.
    Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to 
be culturally affiliated with this object should contact Craig Morris, 
Acting Director of Cultural Resources, American Museum of Natural 
History, Central Park West at 79th Street, New York, NY 10024, 
telephone (212) 769-5883, before April 7, 2003. Repatriation of this 
object of cultural patrimony to Central Council Tlingit and Haida 
Indian Tribes of Alaska on behalf of the Kiks.adi Clan may proceed 
after that date if no additional claimants come forward.
    The American Museum of Natural History is responsible for notifying 
Central Council Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska, Sealaska 
Corporation, and Sitka Tribe of Alaska that this notice has been 
published.

    Dated: January 21, 2003.
John Robbins,
Assistant Director, Cultural Resources Stewardship and Partnerships.
[FR Doc. 03-5508 Filed 3-6-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-S