[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 88 (Friday, May 7, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25290-25291]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-10787]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Intent To Repatriate Cultural Items: Rochester Museum & 
Science Center, Rochester, 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 cultural items in the possession of the Rochester Museum 
& Science Center, Rochester, NY, that meet the definitions of ``sacred 
objects'' 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.
    Between 1923 and 1966, the Rochester Museum & Science Center 
acquired from various sources 10 medicine faces made by members of the 
Tonawanda Seneca Nation.
    In 1923, a large wooden medicine face was collected by Edward D. 
Putnam, Curator, Rochester Museum, Rochester, NY, on the Tonawanda 
Reservation. It was accessioned into the museum's collection on August 
25, 1923 (AE 383/23.32.61). According to museum documentation, ``This 
is a shaman's mask used by the Seneca False Face Company in curing 
diseases by invoking the spirit of the myth creature represented by the 
face.''
    In 1929, the museum accessioned two large wooden medicine faces 
that were collected by James Skye from the Tonawanda Reservation (AE 
1673/29.270.1, made circa 1900; and AE 1689/29.270.2, made circa 1920).
    In 1929, the museum purchased a large wooden medicine face with a 
medicine bag attached to it from Alvin Dewey, Rochester, NY (AE 2871/D 
4974/29.259.18). According to the catalog card by Dewey, it was ``Last 
used by Chauncey Abrams of Tonawanda Reservation.''
    In 1929, a large wooden medicine face was purchased from Alvin 
Dewey, Rochester, NY (AE 2873/29.259.20). In June 1916, Mr. Dewey had 
purchased the medicine face from William S. Wakeman, Batavia, NY. 
Before selling it to the museum, it was lent to Arthur C. Parker, State 
Archeologist, on December 23, 1923. At that time, it was reported to 
have been 75 years old.
    In March 1966, the museum purchased five large medicine faces from 
Kidd Smith that were made on the Tonawanda Seneca Reservation, circa 
1960. Four are identified as being simply wooden medicine faces (AE 
10256/66.356.1, AE 10271/66.356.3, AE 10272/66.356.4 and AE 10273/
66.356.5) with the fifth medicine face being made of basswood (AE 
10257/66.356.2).
    Museum documentation, supported by oral evidence presented during 
consultation by Tonawanda Seneca Nation NAGPRA representatives, 
indicates that these medicine faces are culturally affiliated with the 
Tonawanda Seneca Nation. Tonawanda Seneca Nation traditional religious 
leaders have identified these medicine faces as being needed for the 
practice of traditional Native American religions by present-day 
adherents. During consultation, it was shown that individuals who 
carved a face did not have the authority to alienate it to a third 
party or sell it indirectly to the Rochester Museum & Science Center. 
Therefore, based on consultation with NAGPRA representatives from the 
Tonawanda Seneca Nation and other Haudenosaunee and non-Haudenosaunee 
consultants, the museum has determined that the medicine faces are both 
sacred objects and objects of cultural patrimony.
    Officials of the Rochester Museum & Science Center have determined 
that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(C), the 10 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 
Rochester Museum & Science Center have also determined that, pursuant 
to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(D), the 10 cultural items described above have an 
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 Rochester Museum & Science 
Center 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/objects of cultural patrimony and the 
Tonawanda Band of Seneca Indians of New York.
    Representatives of any other Indian Nation or tribe that believes 
itself to be culturally affiliated with the sacred objects/objects of 
cultural patrimony should contact Adele DeRosa, NAGPRA

[[Page 25291]]

Coordinator/Collections Manager, Rochester Museum & Science Center, 657 
East Ave., Rochester, NY 14607, telephone (585) 271-4552, ext 302, 
before June 7, 2010. Repatriation of the sacred objects/objects of 
cultural patrimony to the Tonawanda Band of Seneca Indians of New York 
may proceed after that date if no additional claimants come forward.
    The Rochester Museum & Science Center is responsible for notifying 
the Tonawanda Band of Seneca Indians of New York that this notice has 
been published.

    Dated: April 27, 2010.
David Tarler,
Acting Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2010-10787 Filed 5-6-10; 8:45 am]
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