[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 30 (Wednesday, February 13, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8355-8356]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-2602]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Intent to Repatriate Cultural Items: Saint Louis 
Science Center, Saint Louis, MO

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 Saint Louis 
Science Center, Saint Louis, MO, 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 (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 two cultural items are two eagle feathers (24-0420a and 24-
0420b).
    In 1970, the two feathers were donated to the Museum of Science and 
Natural History (now known as the Saint Louis Science Center), by 
Cleveland H. Shutt. Mr. Shutt acquired the cultural items in 1953 at 
Harbor Springs, Emmet County, MI. The cultural items were given to Mr. 
Shutt by the Ottawa (also known as Odawa) tribe in Harbor Springs.
    Harbor Springs is part of the area known as L'Abre Croche (Land of 
the

[[Page 8356]]

crooked tree), which has been a permanent Odawa settlement since 1742. 
This location is documented as being the homeland of the Little 
Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, Michigan. The Odawa believe the 
eagle feathers are sacred objects and without proper relationships and 
appropriate ceremonial uses of the eagle feathers the spirits and Odawa 
people suffer. Descendants of the Odawa Tribe in Harbor Springs are 
members of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, Michigan.
    Officials of the Saint Louis Science Center have determined that, 
pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (3)(C), the two 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 
Saint Louis Science Center also 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 objects and the Little 
Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, Michigan.
    Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to 
be culturally affiliated with the sacred objects should contact Melinda 
Frillman, Associate Director, Collections Department, Saint Louis 
Science Center, 5050 Oakland Ave., St. Louis, MO 63110, telephone (314) 
533-8285, before March 14, 2008. Repatriation of the sacred objects to 
the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Inidans, Michigan may proceed 
after that date if no additional claimants come forward.
    The Saint Louis Science Center is responsible for notifying Little 
Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, Michigan that this notice has been 
published.

    Dated: January 3, 2008
Sherry Hutt,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. E8-2602 Filed 2-12-08; 8:45 am]
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