[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 24 (Wednesday, February 5, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6922-6923]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-02310]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-14819; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]


Notice of Intent To Repatriate a Cultural Item: Virginia Museum 
of Fine Arts, Richmond, VA

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, in consultation with the 
appropriate Indian tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations, has 
determined that the cultural item listed in this notice meets the 
definition of an object of cultural patrimony and a sacred object. 
Lineal descendants or representatives of any Indian tribe or Native 
Hawaiian organization not identified in this notice that wish to claim 
this cultural item should submit a written request to the Virginia 
Museum of Fine Arts. If no additional claimants come forward, transfer 
of control of the cultural item 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 this cultural item should submit a written request with 
information in support of the claim to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts 
at the address in this notice by March 7, 2014.

ADDRESSES: Kelly Burrow, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, 200 N. 
Boulevard, Richmond, VA 23220, telephone (804) 204-2669, 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 a cultural item under the 
control of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond, VA, that meets 
the definition of a sacred object and an 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 Native 
American cultural items. The National Park Service is not responsible 
for the determinations in this notice.

History and Description of the Cultural Item

    The X'[aacute]tgu K'ud[aacute]s' also called the ``Mudshark Shirt'' 
is made of red flannel edged with blue silk ribbon pendants along the 
side seams. The shark, which according to the Naanya.aay[iacute] Clan, 
is the clan crest and embodies the X'[aacute]tgu (Mudshark). It is 
depicted as a stylized shark, composed of small pearl buttons, most of 
them in triple lines, and outlined in black. The shark is split down 
the center of the head and body so as to allow for the opening at the 
neck of the shirt.
    The Mudshark Shirt was originally in the collection of Axel 
Rasmussen, a superintendent of schools in Skagway, AK. In 1948, the 
Portland Art Museum purchased his collection. Records from the Portland 
Art Museum read as follows: ``Purchase, Indian Collection Subscription 
Fund. To be known as the Axel Rasmussen Collection. Vendor, Earl 
Stendahl.'' In 1955, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts purchased part of 
the Rasmussen Collection from the Portland Art Museum, which included 
this Mudshark Shirt (PAM accession  48.3.567; VMFA accession 
 55.31.10).
    Representatives of the Central Council of the Tlingit & Haida 
Indian Tribes, specifically the Naanya.aay[iacute] clan, have 
identified that this shirt depicts a representation of the 
X'[aacute]tgu crest and is owned by the Naanya.aay[iacute] clan. This 
crest is an object of cultural patrimony, as it is communally owned, 
and has ongoing historical, traditional, and cultural importance 
central to the Tlingit society and culture. This object is also a 
sacred object as it is vital to the ongoing cultural and religious 
practices that are unique to the Tlingit. Based on this information and 
consultation with the Central Council of the Tlingit & Haida Indian 
Tribes, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts reasonably believes the 
Mudshark Shirt is culturally affiliated with the Tlingit.

Determinations Made by the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

    Officials of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts 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(3)(D), the one 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.

[[Page 6923]]

     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(2), there is a relationship of 
shared group identity that can be reasonably traced between the 
Mudshark Shirt and the Central Council Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes.

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 
this cultural item should submit a written request with information in 
support of the claim to Kelly Burrow, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, 200 
N. Boulevard, Richmond, VA 23220, telephone (804) 204-2669, email 
[email protected] by March 7, 2014. After that date, if no 
additional claimants have come forward, transfer of control of the 
Mudshark Shirt to the Central Council Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes may 
proceed.
    The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts is responsible for notifying the 
Central Council Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes that this notice has been 
published.

    Dated: January 13, 2014.
Melanie O'Brien,
Acting Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2014-02310 Filed 2-4-14; 8:45 am]
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