[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 21 (Wednesday, February 1, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5364-5365]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-1279]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Intent to Repatriate Cultural Items: Denver Museum of 
Nature & Science, Denver, CO

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, of the intent 
to repatriate cultural items that are in the possession of the Denver 
Museum of Nature & Science, Denver, CO, which meets the definitions of 
``sacred object'' and ``objects 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 (d)(3). 
The determinations in this notice are the sole responsibility of the 
museum, institution, or Federal agency that has control of the cultural 
items. The National Park Service is not responsible for the 
determinations in this notice.
    The ten cultural items are two Dilzini Gaan kilts, one of colored 
hide with tinklers and bells and the other of colored, beaded canvas 
(AC.4422 and A.C.8087F); two feathered caps, one made by Abner Kahn of 
hide with attached eagle and turkey feathers and the other made of 
buckskin with red cloth inlay, brass studs, and beads (AC.7620 and 
AC.10177); one man's cap of painted hide, beaded with shell and feather 
attachments (AC.4777); one Dilzini Gaan mask of black cloth surmounted 
by a wooden crown of eight fingers and a central rayed cross, painted 
white with red and blue designs (AC.7592); one pair of Dilzini Gaan 
boots of colored hide (AC.8087D and AC.8087E); one Dilzini Gaan leg 
band with tinklers and bells (AC.8087J); and one Dilzini Gaan concha 
belt of commerial leather with round silver conchas and attached beaded 
bag with tinklers (AC.8087G).
    Museum records show the items were purchased by Mary W.A. Crane and 
Frances V. Crane of The Crane Foundation from The Fred Harvey Company, 
Rex Arrowsmith, House of Six Directions, Forestdale Trading Post, and 
Taos Bookstore in New Mexico and Arizona from 1959 to 1966. In 1968, 
the cultural items were donated by The Crane Foundation to the Denver 
Museum of Natural History (now Denver Museum of Nature & Science). The 
cultural items are cataloged as North American Indian ethnographic

[[Page 5365]]

objects of various Western Apache cultures.
    Museum accession, catalogue, and computer records, published 
sources, and consultation with The Western Apache NAGPRA Working Group 
indicate that the ten cultural items described above are from the 
Western Apache. The Dilzini Gaan objects have been illustrated and/or 
described in scholarly studies as styles used in traditional girls 
initiation ceremony by Gaan spirit impersonators. The masks, attire, 
and equipment are held in high regard in Western Apache society and are 
specifically needed for ongoing practices of traditional Apahce 
spiritual beliefs. Western Apache representatives identified each of 
the items with ongoing religious practice and their testimony was 
incorporated into museum catalogue identification and descriptions. The 
cultural items belong to the Western Apache as a group. There are no 
museum records that indicate the collectors from whom the objects were 
obtained had received voluntary consent for alienation from individuals 
or a group with authority as keepers of sacred materials. Therefore, 
the cultural items have been identified as fitting the definition of 
sacred objects and objects of cultural patrimony.
    The Western Apache NAGPRA Working Group represents the San Carlos 
Apache Tribe of the San Carlos Reservation, Arizona; Tonto Apache Tribe 
of Arizona; White Mountain Apache Tribe of the Fort Apache Reservation, 
Arizona; and Yavapai-Apache Nation of the Camp Verde Indian 
Reservation, Arizona.
    Officials of the Denver Museum of Nature & Science have determined 
that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(C) the ten cultural items described 
above 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 
Denver Museum of Nature & Science also have determined that, pursuant 
to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(D), the ten cultural items have ongoing 
historical, traditional, or cultural importance central to the Native 
American group or culture itself, rather than property owned by an 
individual. Lastly, officials of the Denver Museum of Nature & Science 
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 ten sacred objects/objects of cultural patrimony and The 
Western Apache NAGPRA Working Group, as representatives of the San 
Carlos Apache Tribe of the San Carlos Reservation, Arizona; Tonto 
Apache Tribe of Arizona; White Mountain Apache Tribe of the Fort Apache 
Reservation, Arizona; and Yavapai-Apache Nation of the Camp Verde 
Indian Reservation, Arizona.
    Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to 
be culturally affiliated with the ten sacred objects/objects of 
cultural patrimony should contact Dr. Steven Holen, Head of the 
Anthropology Department, Denver Museum of Nature & Science, 2001 
Colorado Boulevard, Denver, CO 80205, telephone (303) 370-8261, before 
March 3, 2006. Repatriation of the ten sacred objects/objects of 
cultural patrimony to the Western Apache NAGPRA Working Group, 
representing the San Carlos Apache Tribe of the San Carlos Reservation, 
Arizona; Tonto Apache Tribe of Arizona; White Mountain Apache Tribe of 
the Fort Apache Reservation, Arizona; and Yavapai-Apache Nation of the 
Camp Verde Indian Reservation, Arizona may proceed after that date if 
no additional claimants come forward.
    The Denver Museum of Nature & Science is responsible for notifying 
the San Carlos Apache Tribe of the San Carlos Reservation, Arizona; 
Tonto Apache Tribe of Arizona; White Mountain Apache Tribe of the Fort 
Apache Reservation, Arizona; and Yavapai-Apache Nation of the Camp 
Verde Indian Reservation, Arizona that this notice has been published.

    Dated: December 30, 2005.
Sherry Hutt,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. E6-1279 Filed 1-31-06; 8:45 am]
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