[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 159 (Friday, August 16, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50107-50108]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-20007]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-13681; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]


Notice of Intent To Repatriate Cultural Items: University of 
Colorado Museum of Natural History, Boulder, CO

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The University of Colorado Museum of Natural History, in 
consultation with the appropriate Indian tribes or Native Hawaiian 
organizations, has determined that the cultural items listed in this 
notice meet the definition of sacred objects and objects of cultural 
patrimony. Lineal descendants or representatives of any Indian tribe or 
Native Hawaiian organization not identified in this notice that wish to 
claim these cultural items should submit a written request to the 
University of Colorado Museum of Natural History. If no additional 
claimants come forward, transfer of control of the cultural items to 
the lineal descendants, Indian tribes, or Native Hawaiian organizations 
stated in this notice may proceed.

DATES: Lineal descendants or representatives of any Indian tribe or 
Native Hawaiian organization not identified in this notice that wish to 
claim these cultural items should submit a written request with 
information in support of the claim to the University of Colorado 
Museum of Natural History at the address in this notice by September 
16, 2013.

ADDRESSES: Jen Shannon, Curator of Cultural Anthropology, University of 
Colorado Museum of Natural History, 218 UCB, Boulder, CO 80309-0218, 
telephone (303) 492-6276, email [email protected].

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 under the 
control of the University of Colorado Museum of Natural History, 
Boulder, CO that meet the definition 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 Native 
American cultural items. The National Park Service is not responsible 
for the determinations in this notice.

History and Description of the Cultural Item(s)

    In September 1970, Joe Ben Wheat, Curator of Anthropology, 
purchased for the University of Colorado Museum of Natural History one 
cultural item. Dr. Wheat acquired this item from an unknown individual. 
The sacred object and object of cultural patrimony is a Monsterway 
Protectionway medicine bundle (jish) (catalog  22437a-y). The 
dimensions are 10.7cm x 0.9cm.
    In the spring of 1977, Muriel Sibell Wolle, former University of 
Colorado art and art history professor, bequeathed to the University of 
Colorado Museum of Natural History two cultural items. Professor Wolle 
acquired these items on an unknown date from an unknown individual. The 
two sacred objects and objects of cultural patrimony are Keet'aan 
Yalti'i (Twin Fetish Gods) (catalog  26691) and Ha'da'honiye' 
(Mirage Stone) (catalog  26692). The Twin Fetish Gods are 
comprised of one light colored stone and one mostly dark banded stone. 
Both stones have four inlays, three of which are turquoise and a fourth 
abalone. These inlays are located at the wider end of the stones and 
are arranged in a quadrate pattern. Multicolored yarn (red, green, 
purple, orange, and white) encircles almost three quarters of the two 
stones. Three tabular abalone shells measuring 2.5cm x 5cm are attached 
by twine to the yarn. A number of peacock, bluebird, and other 
unidentified feathers are inserted between the stones and the yarn. The 
Mirage Stone is a solid cylinder of grayish-white mirage/aragonite 
stone. Both ends of the cylinder are bordered with an inlay of green 
turquoise chips.
    In 1979, H. Jackson Clark, Sr., owner of the Toh-Atin Gallery, 
Durango, CO, donated one cultural item to the University of Colorado 
Museum of

[[Page 50108]]

Natural History. Mr. Clark acquired this item on an unknown date from 
an unknown individual. The sacred object and object of cultural 
patrimony is a H[oacute]chx[oacute] [iacute]j[iacute] Jish (Evilway 
Medicine Bundle) (catalog  1979.5.1-24), which consists of 10 
small pouches contained in a bag with a hole that allows the jish to be 
placed over a saddle horn for transport.
    On December 9, 1983, Harris ``Tommy'' and Lee Thompson donated one 
cultural item to the University of Colorado Museum of Natural History. 
The donors acquired this item at an unknown date from an unknown 
individual. The sacred object and object of cultural patrimony is a 
Keet'aan Yalti'i (Twin Fetish Gods) with pouch (catalog  
1983.47.1 A-B (34509 A-B)). The twin fetish is comprised of two stones, 
one white and one striated gray with feather headdresses and facial 
features of small inlaid turquoise. Identical animal forms are bound to 
the front and back of each with multicolored yarn wrappings. Also tied 
to them with yarn is a small buckskin infant-like figure. Below the 
yarn wrapping is a beaded buckskin kilt with buckskin ties and fringe 
of colored yarn. Their overall dimensions are 15.5cm x 4.5cm.
    In September of 1984, H. Jackson Clark, Sr., owner of the Toh-Atin 
Gallery, Durango, CO, donated one cultural item to the University of 
Colorado Museum of Natural History. Mr. Clark acquired this item on an 
unknown date from an unknown individual on the Navajo Reservation. The 
sacred object and object of cultural patrimony is a 
H[oacute]chx[oacute] [iacute]j[iacute] Jish (Evilway Medicine Bundle) 
and Din[eacute] Bi Nilchi ji Jish (Navajo Windway Medicine Bundle) 
(catalog  1984.9.2).
    During consultation, representatives of the Navajo Nation provided 
evidence in support of cultural affiliation as well as the 
determination that the items are both sacred objects and objects of 
cultural patrimony. The anthropological literature, including the work 
of Leland C. Wyman, also supports cultural affiliation. During 
consultation, the Navajo representatives described and demonstrated the 
purpose and use of many of items. They also related how wide the use of 
the items is today and how Navajo people today are being trained in 
their use. They also explained that the items are alive and must be 
cared for in specific ways and treated with respect.

Determinations Made by the University of Colorado Museum of Natural 
History

    Officials of the University of Colorado Museum of Natural History 
have determined that:
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(C), the six 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(3)(D), the six cultural items 
described above have ongoing historical, traditional, or cultural 
importance central to the Native American group or culture itself, 
rather than property owned by an individual.
     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 and objects of cultural patrimony and the Navajo Nation, 
Arizona, New Mexico & Utah.

Additional Requestors and Disposition

    Lineal descendants or representatives of any Indian tribe or Native 
Hawaiian organization not identified in this notice that wish to claim 
these cultural items should submit a written request with information 
in support of the claim to Jen Shannon, Curator of Cultural 
Anthropology, University of Colorado Museum of Natural History, 218 
UCB, Boulder, CO 80309-0218, telephone (303) 492-6276, email 
[email protected], by September 16, 2013. After that date, if no 
additional claimants have come forward, transfer of control of the 
sacred objects and objects of cultural patrimony to the Navajo Nation, 
Arizona, New Mexico & Utah may proceed.
    The University of Colorado Museum of Natural History is responsible 
for notifying the Navajo Nation, Arizona, New Mexico & Utah that this 
notice has been published.

    Dated: July 31, 2013.
Sherry Hutt,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2013-20007 Filed 8-15-13; 8:45 am]
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