[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 50 (Tuesday, March 15, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14048-14049]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-5882]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[2253-665]


Notice of Intent To Repatriate a Cultural Item: Arizona State 
Museum, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ

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 Arizona State 
Museum, University of Arizona,

[[Page 14049]]

Tucson, AZ, that meets the definition 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 cultural item consists of a dance kilt and accoutrements, also 
known as jish (Medicine Bundle). The item is composed of sections of 
cloth with stitched decorative elements, bird feathers, and cloth 
streamers affixed to a loop of cotton string. The item was removed 
circa 1950 by Dr. Gwinn Vivian from the floor of an abandoned hogan 
located on private land east of Chaco Canyon, in McKinley County, NM. 
Dr. Vivian donated the cultural item to the Arizona State Museum in 
1971.
    According to the collector, refuse near the hogan indicated 
occupation during the late 1920s or early 1930s. This is consistent 
with the historically documented time period of Navajo occupation in 
this area. Consultations with representatives of the Navajo Nation have 
identified the object as a Navajo jish (Medicine Bundle) used in the 
T[lstrok]'[eacute][eacute]j[iacute] (Night Way Ceremony). This ceremony 
is widely practiced by members of the Navajo Nation.
    The Navajo people believe that jish are alive and must be treated 
with respect. The primary purpose of the jish is to cure people of 
diseases, mental and physical illness, and to restore beauty and 
harmony. Accordingly, no single individual can truly own any jish. The 
right to control jish is outlined by Navajo traditional laws, which 
vest this responsibility in Hataa[lstrok]ii (Medicine persons). 
Hataa[lstrok]ii are not owners of jish, but only care, utilize, and 
bequeath them for the Navajo people.
    Officials of the Arizona State Museum have determined, pursuant to 
25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(C), that the 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 Arizona 
State Museum also have determined, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(D), 
that 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. 
Lastly, officials of the Arizona State Museum have determined, pursuant 
to 25 U.S.C. 3001(2), that there is a relationship of shared group 
identity that can be reasonably traced between the sacred object/object 
of cultural patrimony and the Navajo Nation of Arizona, New Mexico and 
Utah.
    Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to 
be culturally affiliated with the sacred object/object of cultural 
patrimony should contact John McClelland, NAGPRA Coordinator, Arizona 
State Museum, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, telephone (520) 
626-2950, before April 14, 2011. Repatriation of the sacred object/
object of cultural patrimony to the Navajo Nation of Arizona, New 
Mexico and Utah may proceed after that date if no additional claimants 
come forward.
    The Arizona State Museum is responsible for notifying the Navajo 
Nation of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah that this notice has been 
published.

    Dated: March 9, 2011.
Sherry Hutt,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2011-5882 Filed 3-14-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-50-P