[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 243 (Wednesday, December 19, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 71946-71947]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-24611]


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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 in the possession of the Denver Museum of 
Nature & Science, Denver, CO, which

[[Page 71947]]

meet the definitions of ``sacred object'' and ``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 (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 first cultural item is a basketry hat called Yeil Shaada or 
Raven Hat (AC.11544). The Raven Hat is made of carved spruce root, 
plain twining, and false embroidery. A carved raven head is on top at 
the front with marten or mink fur extending along the crown top and 
tail attached at the back. The sides of the hat have five red lines in 
stepped design, black lined raven head above, double purple lines 
below, and orange checkerboard pattern along the lower edge. Leather 
ties are on each side. It measures approximately 25 cm in height, 36 cm 
in length, and 14 cm in width. The catalogue records note that the hat 
was ``used for dancing'' and speculates that it was a ``shaman's 
basketry hat, late 19th century.'' Records also note that the cultural 
item was ``purchased from Tlingit family, Haines, Alaska'' by the 
Michael R. Johnson Gallery, Seattle, WA, in 1976. The cultural item was 
accessioned by the museum in 1983. The hat was placed in the museum's 
Northwest Coast Ceremonial Season Exhibit until 1995.
    The second cultural item is a ceremonial beaded shirt called Lingit 
Tlein Kudas' or Big Man's Shirt (AC.11444). The shirt is long sleeved 
navy wool with straight sides likely dating to the early 1900s. The 
yoke, collar, cuffs, front opening, and lower ends are beaded in 
designs of yellow, white, navy, turquoise, and green set against red 
wool cloth bordered with a black braid edged with white beads. This 
unique style of beadwork was done by Tlingit artisans in the late 1800s 
through contact with Athapaskan and Euro-American traders, though drawn 
from much older styles of tunics. The shirt measures 98 cm in length 
and 71 cm in width. The catalogue records note that the shirt was 
``acquired from Mrs. Mary Klanott, Klukwan, Alaska, 1974'' by Michael 
R. Johnson Gallery, Seattle, WA, on October 7, 1974. The shirt was 
accessioned by the museum in 1983. Through the mid 1990s, the shirt was 
used in the museum's Northwest Coast Ceremonial Season Exhibit.
    During consultation, representatives of the Central Council of the 
Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes recounted the social and spiritual 
importance of both cultural items and the rules of Tlingit cultural 
property law. A member of the Lukaax.adi Clan sang the traditional song 
that goes with these objects. Documentation was presented of the 
objects' histories from the early 20th century, their import in ongoing 
ceremonial practices, and their significance and custodianship by 
Tlingit families and the Raven House of the Lukaax.adi Clan. A 
genealogy was also given demonstrating continuous ownership of the 
objects until their transfer in the 1970s. A photograph from 
approximately 1950 shows the Raven Hat in ceremonial context. A 
photograph from approximately 1937 shows the Big Man's Shirt and Raven 
Hat worn by clan members in ceremonial context. Tlingit of the 
Lukaax.adi Clan, Raven House, Haines, AK, are members of the Central 
Council of the Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes.
    Officials of the Denver Museum of Nature & Science have determined 
that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (3)(C), the two 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 Denver 
Museum of Nature & Science have also determined that, pursuant to 25 
U.S.C. 3001 (3)(D), the two 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 which can be reasonably traced 
between the sacred objects[sol]objects of cultural patrimony and the 
Central Council of the Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes.
    Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to 
be culturally affiliated with the sacred objects[sol]objects of 
cultural patrimony should contact Dr. Chip Colwell-Chanthaphonh, 
Curator of Anthropology, NAGPRA Officer, Department of Anthropology, 
Denver Museum of Nature & Science, 2001 Colorado Boulevard, Denver, CO 
80205, telephone (303) 370-6378, before January 18, 2008. Repatriation 
of the sacred objects[sol]objects of cultural patrimony to the Central 
Council of the Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes on behalf of the 
Lukaax.adi Clan, Raven House of Haines, AK, may proceed after that date 
if no additional claimants come forward.
    The Denver Museum of Nature & Science is responsible for notifying 
the Central Council of the Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes that this 
notice has been published.

    Dated: November 7, 2007.
Sherry Hutt,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. E7-24611 Filed 12-18-07; 8:45 am]
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