[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 151 (Thursday, August 6, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46997-46998]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-19265]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-18585; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]


Notice of Intent To Repatriate Cultural Items: Heard Museum, 
Phoenix, AZ

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Heard Museum, in consultation with the Navajo Nation, 
Arizona, New Mexico & Utah, has determined that the cultural item 
listed in this notice meets the definition of sacred object and 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 this cultural item should submit a written 
request to the Heard Museum. If no additional claimants come forward, 
transfer of control of the cultural item to the Navajo Nation, Arizona, 
New Mexico & Utah 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 Heard Museum at the address 
in this notice by September 8, 2015.

ADDRESSES: John Bulla, Interim Director/CEO, Heard Museum, 2301 N. 
Central Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85004, telephone (602) 346-8188, 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

[[Page 46998]]

Heard Museum, Phoenix, AZ, that meets the definition of sacred object 
and 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

    Around 1974, one cultural item was removed from the Navajo Nation, 
Arizona, New Mexico & Utah, and in 1979 it was donated to the Heard 
Museum. The cultural item is a Hochxo Jish (Evil Way Medicine Bundle).
    Representatives of the Navajo Nation, Arizona, New Mexico & Utah, 
examined the cultural item, consulted with museum staff, and identified 
it as a Navajo Jish that is used in the Hochxo Ceremony (Evil Way), a 
ceremony that is still widely practiced by members of the Navajo tribe. 
The Navajo people believe that jish are alive and must be treated with 
respect. These are sacred objects as well as objects of cultural 
patrimony and are made by knowledgeable Navajo people. In order to 
possess jish, one must have the proper ceremonial knowledge with which 
to care for and utilize them.

Determinations Made by the Heard Museum

    Officials of the Heard Museum have determined that:
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(C), the 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 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 Hochxo 
Jish (Evil Way Medicine Bundle) 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 
this cultural item should submit a written request with information in 
support of the claim to John Bulla, Interim Director/CEO, Heard Museum, 
2301 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85004, telephone (602) 346-8188, 
email [email protected], by September 8, 2015. After that date, if no 
additional claimants have come forward, transfer of control of the 
Hochxo Jish (Evil Way Medicine Bundle) to the Navajo Nation, Arizona, 
New Mexico & Utah, may proceed.
    The Heard Museum is responsible for notifying the Navajo Nation, 
Arizona, New Mexico & Utah, that this notice has been published.

    Dated: June 29, 2015.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2015-19265 Filed 8-5-15; 8:45 am]
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