[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 81 (Tuesday, April 28, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23593-23594]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-09921]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-18037; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]


Notice of Intent To Repatriate a Cultural Item: State Historical 
Society of Iowa, Des Moines, IA

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The State Historical Society of Iowa, 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. Lineal descendants or 
representatives of any Indian tribe or Native Hawaiian organization not 
identified in this notice that wish to claim the cultural item should 
submit a written request to the State Historical Society of Iowa. 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 the cultural item should submit a written request with 
information in support of the claim to the State Historical Society of 
Iowa at the address in this notice by May 28, 2015.

ADDRESSES: Jerome Thompson, State Curator or NAGPRA Point of Contact, 
600 East Locust, Des Moines, IA 50319, telephone (515) 281-4221, 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 State Historical Society of Iowa, Des Moines, IA, that 
meets the definition of 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(s)

    At some time after April 13, 1931, the State Historical Society of 
Iowa purchased a grizzly bear claw necklace from Sam Slick, a member of 
the Meskwaki Tribe (Sac & Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa). 
Correspondence related to the purchase between curator Edgar R. Harlan 
and Sam Slick describe the necklace and its origin. The necklace was 
cataloged a B1729 and has been in control of the museum since 1931. The 
necklace is made of otter fur with thirty-one grizzly bear claws 
separated by glass beads. The otter fur is decorated with two heart-
shaped and one square beaded applique.
    During consultation, Johnathan Buffalo, Director of Historic 
Preservation, for the Sac & Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa, 
explained that several bear claw necklaces belonging to different clans 
were sold or otherwise left the tribe during the time period between 
1920 and 1940. The necklaces were passed down in the families of the 
different clans and each clan held a position on the traditional tribal 
council. The tribe provided evidence that the necklace is an object of 
cultural patrimony having ongoing historical, traditional, or cultural 
importance to the tribe. The necklace is part of a group of necklaces 
that symbolizes tribal governance and is inalienable. Tribal member, 
Sam Slick, as an individual, did not have the right to sell the 
necklace.

[[Page 23594]]

Determinations Made by the State Historical Society of Iowa

    Officials of the State Historical Society of Iowa have determined 
that:
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(D), the single 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.
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(2), there is a relationship of 
shared group identity that can be reasonably traced between the object 
of cultural patrimony and the Sac & Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in 
Iowa.

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 Jerome Thompson, State Curator or NAGPRA 
Point of Contact, 600 East Locust, Des Moines, IA 50319, telephone 
(515) 281-4221, email [email protected], by May 28, 2015. After 
that date, if no additional claimants have come forward, transfer of 
control of the object of cultural patrimony to the Sac & Fox Tribe of 
the Mississippi in Iowa may proceed
    The State Historical Society of Iowa is responsible for notifying 
the Sac & Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa that this notice has 
been published.

    Dated: April 2, 2015.
Mariah Soriano,
Acting Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2015-09921 Filed 4-27-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4312-50-P