[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 182 (Tuesday, September 22, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Page 48287]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-22751]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Intent to Repatriate a Cultural Item: Paul H. Karshner 
Memorial Museum, Puyallup, WA

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 Paul H. Karshner 
Memorial Museum, Puyallup, WA, that meets the definition of ``sacred 
object'' 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 
item. The National Park Service is not responsible for the 
determinations in this notice.
    Prior to 1935, one cultural item was removed from Lummi Island, 
Whatcom County, WA. It was purchased from Charles L. Judd by Dr. Warner 
Karshner, who donated the cultural item to the Paul H. Karshner 
Memorial Museum in 1935 (Accession 1935.01). Museum records 
describe the object as a ``spirit stick'' (Catalog 1-453). The 
object has been identified by Lummi Tribal representatives as a 
sqwedilic board. The object is used in ceremonial dances to invoke 
``tamanus'' or ``healing power.'' The board is made of unpainted wood 
that has been carved in a circular shape with two handles. The shape is 
consistent with photographs of other sqwedilic boards collected in the 
early 1900s (Suttles and Lane 1990:498, fig. 10).
    Published ethnographic documentation indicates that sqwedilic 
boards were used in winter ceremonies among some Central and Southern 
Coast Salish groups (Suttles and Lane 1990:498). Sqwedilic was 
translated by one source to mean ``guarding power'' (Collins 1949). 
Sqwedilic boards are used for purification and finding lost articles 
(Suttles and Lane 1990:498).
    The museum consulted with the Lummi Tribe of the Lummi Reservation, 
Washington; Samish Indian Tribe, Washington; and Swinomish Indians of 
the Swinomish Reservation, Washington. During consultation with the 
Lummi Tribe, tribal representatives stated that Lummi Island is 
considered to be within their traditional territory. During 
consultation with the Samish Indian Tribe, representatives stated they 
did not consider Lummi Island to be within the exclusive territory of 
the Samish and did not consider the board to be affiliated with the 
Samish Indian Tribe. During consultation with the Swinomish Indians, 
representatives did not include Lummi Island within their list of 
traditional places. Based on provenience, consultation evidence and 
ethnographic evidence, the sqwedilic board is reasonably believed to be 
a sacred object that is culturally affiliated to the Lummi Tribe of the 
Lummi Reservation, Washington.
    Officials of the Paul H. Karshner Memorial Museum have determined 
that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (3)(C), the one 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 Paul H. Karshner Memorial Museum 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 object and 
the Lummi Tribe of the Lummi Reservation, Washington.
    Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to 
be culturally affiliated with the sacred object should contact Dr. Jay 
Reifel, Assistant Superintendent, telephone (253) 840-8971 or Ms. Beth 
Bestrom, Museum Curator, Paul H. Karshner Memorial Museum, 309 4th St. 
NE, Puyallup, WA 98372, telephone (253) 841-8748, before October 22, 
2009. Repatriation of the sacred object to the Lummi Tribe of the Lummi 
Reservation, Washington may proceed after that date if no additional 
claimants come forward.
    The Paul H. Karshner Memorial Museum is responsible for notifying 
the Lummi Tribe of the Lummi Reservation, Washington; Samish Indian 
Tribe, Washington; and Swinomish Indians of the Swinomish Reservation, 
Washington that this notice has been published.

    Dated: September 8, 2009
Sherry Hutt,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. E9-22751 Filed 9-21-09; 8:45 am]
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