[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 233 (Monday, December 5, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 75901-75902]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-31070]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[2253-665]


Notice of Intent To Repatriate a Cultural Item: Kingman Museum, 
Inc., Battle Creek, MI

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Kingman Museum, Inc., in consultation with the appropriate 
Indian tribe, has determined that a cultural item meets the definition 
of sacred object and repatriation to the Indian tribe stated below may 
occur if no additional claimants come forward. Representatives of any 
Indian tribe that believes itself to be culturally affiliated with the 
cultural item may contact the Kingman Museum, Inc.

DATES: Representatives of any Indian tribe that believes it has a 
cultural affiliation with the cultural item should contact the Kingman 
Museum, Inc. at the address below by January 4, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Beth Yahne, Kingman Museum, Inc., Battle Creek, MI 49037, 
telephone (269) 965-5117.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Notice is hereby 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 Kingman Museum, Inc. 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 Native 
American cultural item. The National Park Service is not responsible 
for the determinations in this notice.

History and Description of the Cultural Item

    The snapping turtle rattle was purchased by Kingman Museum Inc. in 
January of 1975 from Iroqrafts Ltd. in Ontario, Canada. At the time of 
its purchase, the rattle was estimated to be 83 years old, putting the 
date of its creation in the late 19th century. It was made by the Gana 
hna ``City'' for the Deer Clan of the Onondaga Nation of New York. The 
head and neck of the turtle acts as the handle while the shell acts as 
the rattle. According to information given at the time of purchase, the 
rattle had been used once by the False Face Society.
    Through consultation with representatives on the Haudenosaunee 
Standing Committee on Burial Rules and Regulations (representing the 
Tonawanda Seneca Nation and the Onondaga Nation), and review of museum 
records, the rattle has been identified as Native American and cultural 
affiliation has been determined between the rattle and the Onondaga 
Nation of New York. The aforementioned consultation also determined 
that the rattle is a sacred object.

Determinations Made by the Kingman Museum, Inc.

    Officials of the Kingman Museum, Inc. 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.
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(2), there is a relationship of 
shared group identity that can be reasonably traced

[[Page 75902]]

between the sacred object and the Onondaga Nation of New York.

Additional Requestors and Disposition

    Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to 
be culturally affiliated with the sacred object should contact Beth 
Yahne, Kingman Museum, Inc., Battle Creek, MI 49037, telephone (269) 
965-5117, before January 4, 2012. Repatriation of the sacred object to 
the Onondaga Nation of New York may proceed after that date if no 
additional claimants come forward.
    The Kingman Museum, Inc. is responsible for notifying the Onondaga 
Nation of New York that this notice has been published.

    Dated: November 29, 2011.
Sherry Hutt,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2011-31070 Filed 12-2-11; 8:45 am]
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