[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 190 (Monday, October 1, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59968-59969]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-24090]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-11225; 2200-1100-665]


Notice of Intent To Repatriate Cultural Items: Stanford 
University Archaeology Center, Stanford, CA

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Stanford University Archaeology Center, in consultation 
with the appropriate Indian tribes, has determined that the cultural 
items meet the definition of sacred object and repatriation to the 
Indian tribes 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 items may contact the Stanford 
University Archaeology Center.

DATES: Representatives of any Indian tribe that believes it has a 
cultural affiliation with the cultural items should contact the 
Stanford University Archaeology Center at the address below by October 
31, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Laura Jones, Director, Heritage Services and University 
Archaeologist, Archaeology Center, 488 Escondido Mall, Stanford, CA 
94305, telephone (650) 723-9664.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 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 Stanford University Archaeology Center that meet 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 items. The National Park Service is not responsible 
for the determinations in this notice.

History and Description of the Remains

    Sometime prior to 1905, 44 cultural items were removed from an 
unknown location in Tulare County, CA. Stanford University's cofounder, 
Mrs. Jane Stanford, donated the cultural items to the Stanford Museum 
before her death in 1905. The sacred objects are 44 stone objects. 
Representatives from the Santa Rosa Indian Community of the Santa Rosa 
Rancheria, California, identified the 44 stone objects as sacred 
objects during a consultation visit to Stanford University in August 
2011.
    The Santa Rosa Indian Community of the Santa Rosa Rancheria, 
California, has provided additional information regarding these 
cultural items to establish cultural affiliation to the Yokut tribes. 
Based on the site location and in accordance with the information 
received in the consultation process, the sacred objects are culturally 
affiliated with the Yokut communities represented by the present-day 
tribes of the Picayune Rancheria of Chukchansi Indians of California; 
Santa Rosa Indian Community of the Santa Rosa Rancheria, California; 
Table Mountain Rancheria of California; and the Tule River Indian Tribe 
of the Tule River Reservation, California.

Determinations Made by the Stanford University Archaeology Center

    Officials of the Stanford University Archaeology Center have 
determined that:
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3) (C), the 44 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.
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(2), there is a relationship of 
shared group identity that can be reasonably traced between the Native 
American human remains and the Picayune Rancheria of Chukchansi Indians 
of California; Santa Rosa Indian Community of the Santa Rosa Rancheria, 
California; Table Mountain Rancheria of California; and the Tule River 
Indian Tribe of the Tule River Reservation, California.

Additional Requestors and Disposition

    Representatives of any Indian tribe that believes itself to be 
culturally affiliated with the sacred objects should contact Laura 
Jones, Director, Heritage Services and University Archaeologist, 
Archaeology Center, 488 Escondido Mall, Stanford, CA 94305, telephone 
(650) 723-9664 before October 31, 2012. Repatriation of the sacred 
objects to the Picayune Rancheria of Chukchansi

[[Page 59969]]

Indians of California; Santa Rosa Indian Community of the Santa Rosa 
Rancheria, California; Table Mountain Rancheria of California; and the 
Tule River Indian Tribe of the Tule River Reservation, California, may 
proceed after that date if no additional claimants come forward.
    The Stanford University Archaeology Center is responsible for 
notifying the Picayune Rancheria of Chukchansi Indians of California; 
Santa Rosa Indian Community of the Santa Rosa Rancheria, California; 
Table Mountain Rancheria of California; and the Tule River Indian Tribe 
of the Tule River Reservation, California, that this notice has been 
published.

    Dated: September 5, 2012.
Sherry Hutt,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2012-24090 Filed 9-28-12; 8:45 am]
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