[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 36 (Friday, February 24, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11640-11641]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-03623]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-22600; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]


Notice of Intent To Repatriate Cultural Items: American Museum of 
Natural History, New York, NY

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The American Museum of Natural History, 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 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 American Museum of Natural History. 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 these cultural items should submit a written request with 
information in support of the claim to the American Museum of Natural 
History at the address in this notice by March 27, 2017.

ADDRESSES: Nell Murphy, Director of Cultural Resources, American Museum 
of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th Street, New York, NY 
10024-5192, telephone (212) 769-5837, 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 American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY, 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

[[Page 11641]]

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 1901, while on a museum-sponsored expedition to conduct 
linguistic and ethnological investigations among the Meskwaki (Fox), 
William Jones acquired the grizzly bear claw necklace from an 
unspecified individual(s) in Tama, Tama County, IA. The necklace 
consists of a circular core wrapped in otter fur, onto which are 
attached 27 grizzly bear claws, each spaced apart by 3 blue glass 
beads. The necklace has a long trailer that is formed from the folded 
pelt of the otter which hangs from the back and is decorated by three 
areas of beading.
    Based on the museum's records and consultation with representatives 
of the Sac & Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa, this grizzly bear 
claw necklace is affiliated with the Sac & Fox Tribe of the Mississippi 
in Iowa. Evidence from museum records, scholarly publications, and 
information provided during consultation indicates that the necklace 
has ongoing historical, traditional, and cultural importance to the 
tribe, and that no individual had the right to alienate it.

Determinations Made by the American Museum of Natural History

    Officials of the American Museum of Natural History have determined 
that:
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(D), the 1 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 Nell Murphy, Director of Cultural Resources, 
American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th Street, 
New York, NY 10024-5192, telephone (212) 769-5837, email 
[email protected], by March 27, 2017. 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 American Museum of Natural History is responsible for notifying 
the Sac & Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa that this notice has 
been published.

    Dated: December 19, 2016.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2017-03623 Filed 2-23-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4312-52-P