[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 70 (Monday, April 12, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19233-19234]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-8170]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Intent to Repatriate a Cultural Item: Kennedy Museum of 
Art, Ohio University, Athens, OH

AGENCY: National Park Service.

ACTION: Notice.

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    Notice is here given in accordance with the Native American Graves 
Protection and Repatriation Act, 43 CFR 10.8 (f), of the intent to 
repatriate a cultural item in the possession of the Kennedy Museum of 
Art, Ohio University, Athens, OH, which meets the definitions of sacred 
object and 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 (d)(3). 
The determinations within this notice are the sole responsibility of 
the museum, institution, or Federal agency that has control of the 
cultural item. The National Park Service is not responsible for the 
determinations within this notice.
    The cultural item is a Knifewing god ceremonial altar from the 
Little Fire Fraternity of the Zuni Tribe. The altar, dating from the 
1930s or 1940s, consists of two pieces of wood painted red,

[[Page 19234]]

yellow, blue, and black. One piece is approximately 14 inches wide, 15 
inches long, and 4 inches deep; the other is 15 inches wide, 6 inches 
long, and 1/2 inch deep. The altar is decorated with feathers 
tentatively identified as flicker, blue jay, and eagle feathers.
    The object was discovered in the museum's storage area in 2001 by 
the curator, who recognized it as a Zuni altar. The Zuni Tribe of the 
Zuni Reservation, New Mexico was then notified. Information provided by 
Zuni tribal representatives confirms that a relationship of shared 
group identity exists between the original makers of the ceremonial 
altar and the Zuni Tribe of the Zuni Reservation, New Mexico. There are 
no museum records or other documentation pertaining to the altar's 
collection history or acquisition by the museum.
    Representatives of the Zuni Tribe of the Zuni Reservation, New 
Mexico indicated during consultation that the cultural item is a 
specific ceremonial object needed by traditional Native American 
religious leaders for the practice of traditional Native American 
religions by their present-day adherents. Representatives of the Zuni 
Tribe of the Zuni Reservation, New Mexico have also provided evidence 
that this cultural item has ongoing historical, traditional, and 
cultural importance central to the tribe itself, and could not have 
been alienated, appropriated, or conveyed by any individual tribal or 
organizational member. Evidence presented by Zuni representatives 
during consultation indicates that rites of the Little Fire Fraternity 
are still performed in the Zuni Tribe. Altars for the ceremonies should 
only be in the possession of a member of the Little Fire Fraternity 
capable of understanding the altar's use and function. In Zuni 
tradition, altars can only be cared for by an individual; they are not 
property that can be owned.
    Officials of the Kennedy Museum of Art, Ohio University have 
determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (3)(C), the cultural item 
described above is a specific ceremonial object needed by traditional 
Native American religious leaders for the practice of traditional 
Native American religions by their present-day adherents. Officials of 
the Kennedy Museum of Art, Ohio University have also determined that, 
pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (3)(D), the cultural item has ongoing 
historical, traditional, or cultural importance central to a Native 
American group or culture itself, rather than property owned by an 
individual. Lastly, officials of the Kennedy Museum of Art, Ohio 
University have determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (2) there 
is a relationship of shared group identity that can be reasonably 
traced between the sacred object/object of cultural patrimony and the 
Zuni Tribe of the Zuni Reservation, New Mexico.
    Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to 
be culturally affiliated with the sacred object/object of cultural 
patrimony should contact Dr. Jennifer McLerran, Curator, Kennedy Museum 
of Art, Ohio University, Lin Hall, Athens, OH 45701, telephone (740) 
593-0952 or (749) 593-1304, facsimile (740) 593-1305, before May 12, 
2004. Repatriation of this object to the Zuni Tribe of the Zuni 
Reservation, New Mexico may proceed after that date if no additional 
claimants come forward.
    The Kennedy Museum of Art, Ohio University is responsible for 
notifying the Zuni Tribe of the Zuni Reservation, New Mexico that this 
notice has been published.

    Dated: February 25, 2004.
John Robbins,
Assistant Director, Cultural Resources.
[FR Doc. 04-8170] Filed 4-9-04; 8:45 am]
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