[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 135 (Monday, July 14, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Page 40362]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-15907]


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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, 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 (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 cultural item is a wooden feast dish carved in the shape of a 
beaver. The dish is approximately 115 centimeters long, 35.5 
centimeters wide, and 22 centimeters tall. The sides of the dish are 
decorated with carved formline designs; small faces are carved into the 
top of the beaver's head and tail and into each of the beaver's ears. 
The dish is painted in red and black and the upper rim is decorated 
with rows of inlaid shell. The rear portion of the dish was damaged and 
subsequently repaired.
    At an unknown date, the beaver dish was acquired by Lieutenant 
George Thornton Emmons. In 1888, the American Museum of Natural History 
purchased the beaver dish from Lieutenant Emmons and accessioned it 
into its collection that same year.
    The cultural affiliation of this item is Hutsnuwu Tlingit as 
indicated by museum records and by representatives of Kootznoowoo, 
Incorporated, and Central Council of the Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes 
during consultation. Museum records and consultation with 
representatives of Kootznoowoo, Incorporated, and Central Council of 
the Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes indicate that the beaver dish was 
damaged during the U.S. Navy's shelling of Angoon in 1882. Consultation 
evidence also indicates that the dish was one of only a few items to 
have survived this incident. This cultural item was claimed on behalf 
of the Deisheetaan Clan of Angoon for which it continues to have 
historical, traditional, and cultural importance.
    Officials of the American Museum of Natural History have determined 
that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (3)(D), the cultural item described 
above 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 
(2), there is a relationship of shared group identity that can be 
reasonably traced between the object 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 this object should contact Nell Murphy, 
Director of Cultural Resources, American Museum of Natural History, 
Central Park West at 79th Street, New York, NY 10024, telephone (212) 
769-5837, before August 13, 2008. Repatriation of the object of 
cultural patrimony to Central Council of the Tlingit & Haida Indian 
Tribes may proceed after that date if no additional claimants come 
forward.
    The American Museum of Natural History is responsible for notifying 
the Angoon Community Association, Central Council of the Tlingit & 
Haida Indian Tribes, Kootznoowoo, Incorporated, and Sealaska Heritage 
Foundation.

    Dated: June 17, 2008
Sherry Hutt,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. E8-15907 Filed 7-11-08; 8:45 am]
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