[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 17 (Wednesday, January 27, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4645-4646]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-01591]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-20039; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]


Notice of Intent To Repatriate a Cultural Item: Binghamton 
University, State University of New York, Binghamton, NY

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Binghamton University, 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 a sacred 
object. 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 
Binghamton University. 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: Representatives of any Indian tribe that believes it has a 
cultural affiliation with the cultural item should contact Binghamton 
University at the address below by February 26, 2016.

ADDRESSES: Nina M. Versaggi, Public Archaeology Facility, Binghamton 
University, Binghamton, NY 13902-6000, telephone (607) 777-4786.

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 in the 
possession of Binghamton University that meets the definition of sacred 
object 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 item. The National Park Service is not responsible 
for the determinations in this notice.

History and Description of the Cultural Item(s)

    During the middle to late 1960s, the Anthropology Department at 
Binghamton University acquired a False Face mask made by an artist from 
the Six Nations, in Ontario, Canada. A typed index card accompanying 
the

[[Page 4646]]

mask reads: ``Broken Nose, Seneca Nation, Snapping Turtle Clan, Six 
Nations Reservation--Ontario.'' The mask is carved wood with a black 
face with a red mouth, with a hole on one side (right side, facing 
out), and a pointed chin. The mask face has holes in the nose and metal 
eye inlays surrounding center eyeholes. The face is framed with yellow 
hair, and there are carved lines on the face.
    On March 11, 2003, Binghamton University hosted a consultation 
meeting for federally recognized tribes to review NAGPRA summaries as 
part of the process of determining cultural affiliation. A group of 
traditional representatives from the Cayuga 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); Tonawanda Band of Seneca (previously listed as the 
Tonawanda Band of Seneca Indians of New York); and the Tuscarora 
Nation, met privately after the open consultation. In January of 2013, 
letters were sent to Seneca representatives asking for comments or 
claims on the mask. On September 22, 2015, Scott Abrams, Acting 
Director of the Seneca Nation of Indians Tribal Historic Preservation 
Officer contacted Binghamton University and formally requested 
repatriation of the Seneca mask. Binghamton University asked other 
Seneca representatives if they agreed. No comments were received.

Determinations Made by Binghamton University

    Officials of Binghamton University 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(2), there is a relationship of 
shared group identity that can be reasonably traced between the sacred 
object and the Seneca Nation.

Additional Requestors and Disposition

    Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to 
be culturally affiliated with the sacred object should contact Nina M. 
Versaggi, Public Archaeology Facility, Binghamton University, 
Binghamton, NY 13902-6000, telephone (607) 777-4786, before February 
26, 2016. Repatriation of the sacred object to the Seneca Nation of 
Indians (previously listed as the Seneca Nation of New York) Tribal 
Historic Preservation Office may proceed after that date if no 
additional claimants come forward.
    Binghamton University is responsible for notifying the Cayuga 
Nation; Delaware Nation, Oklahoma; Delaware Tribe of Indians; 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; Stockbridge Munsee Community, Wisconsin; 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: December 28, 2015.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2016-01591 Filed 1-26-16; 8:45 am]
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