[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 238 (Friday, December 11, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 77011-77012]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-31304]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-19665; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]


Notice of Intent To Repatriate Cultural Items: New York State 
Museum, Albany, NY

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The New York State Museum, 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. 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 New York State Museum. 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 New York State Museum at the 
address in this notice by January 11, 2016.

ADDRESSES: Lisa Anderson, New York State Museum, 3049 Cultural 
Education Center, Albany, NY 12230, telephone (518) 486-2020, 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 New York State Museum, Albany, NY, that meet the 
definition of sacred objects 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 1898, the New York State Museum acquired three cultural items 
from members of the Seneca-Cayuga Tribe of Oklahoma. The three sacred 
objects are medicine masks donated by Harriet Maxwell Converse of New 
York City, NY (E-37012, E-37030, E-37621). Museum records indicate the 
masks are culturally affiliated with the Seneca-Cayuga Tribe of 
Oklahoma.
    Consultation with members of the Haudenosaunee Standing Committee 
on Burial Rules and Regulations has identified the medicine masks as 
being needed for the practice of traditional Native American religions 
by present-day adherents. Museum documentation supported by 
consultation with the Seneca-Cayuga Tribe of Oklahoma indicates that 
these medicine faces are culturally affiliated with the Seneca-Cayuga 
Tribe of Oklahoma.

Determinations Made by the New York State Museum

    Officials of the New York State Museum have determined that:
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(C), the three 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 sacred 
objects and the Seneca-Cayuga Tribe of Oklahoma.

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 Lisa Anderson, New York State Museum, 3049 
Cultural Education Center, Albany, NY 12230 telephone

[[Page 77012]]

(518) 486-2020, email [email protected], by January 11, 2016. 
After that date, if no additional claimants have come forward, transfer 
of control of the sacred objects to the Seneca-Cayuga Tribe of Oklahoma 
may proceed.
    The New York State Museum is responsible for notifying the Cayuga 
Nation; Oneida Nation of New York; Oneida Tribe of Indians of 
Wisconsin; Onondaga Nation; Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe (previously listed 
as the St. Regis Band of Mohawk Indians of New York); Seneca Nation of 
Indians (previously listed as the Seneca Nation of New York); Seneca-
Cayuga Tribe of Oklahoma; Tonawanda Band of Seneca (previously listed 
as the Tonawanda Band of Seneca Indians of New York); and Tuscarora 
Nation that this notice has been published.

    Dated: November 17, 2015.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2015-31304 Filed 12-10-15; 8:45 am]
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