[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 113 (Wednesday, June 14, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27282-27283]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-12291]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-23321; 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 appropriate Indian 
tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations, has determined that the 
cultural items listed in this notice meet the definition of sacred 
objects and objects of cultural patrimony. 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 Heard 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 Heard Museum at the address 
in this notice by July 14, 2017.

ADDRESSES: David M. Roche, Heard Museum, 2301 North Central Avenue, 
Phoenix, AZ 85004, telephone (602) 251-0226, 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 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

    In 1907, one cultural item was created by Jack Tonto (a.k.a. Tonto 
Jack) for Taylor Gabbard, who lived in the Arizona Territory. The 
cultural item was passed down to his descendants, exhibited at a branch 
of the Phoenix Public Library for a number of years, and published 
online. On April 17, 2014, the cultural item was donated to the Heard 
Museum and accessioned into their collection. The cultural item is a 
painted hide.
    Representatives of the San Carlos Apache Tribe of the San Carlos 
Reservation, Arizona; Tonto Apache Tribe of Arizona; White Mountain 
Apache Tribe of the Fort Apache Reservation, Arizona; and Yavapai-
Apache Nation of the Camp Verde Indian Reservation, Arizona, have 
identified the painted hide as affiliated with the Yavapai-Apache 
Nation of the Camp Verde Indian Reservation, Arizona. They further 
identify imagery on the hide as having been made for a specific use in 
a specific ceremony. The practitioner of this ceremony used this 
cultural item, along with specific songs and prayers to animate the 
cultural item with power from the creation and specific products of the 
creation, for the purpose of blessing. Medicine people today practice 
this ceremony as it has always been practiced. Due to the nature, the 
beliefs, and the items integral to this ceremony, the hide has ongoing 
historical, traditional, and cultural importance central to Western 
Apache culture.
    The last part of the ceremony for which this item was made, 
following the death of the individual for whom it was made, involves 
placing the hide in a secure location away from human habitation. 
Failing to put this hide away properly after its more active use or 
removing this item from its resting place, thus interrupting the 
unfolding ritual, poses great danger to those who come in contact with 
it. Putting the item away properly can only be

[[Page 27283]]

accomplished by individuals who have been specifically trained to 
perform this task, and is the only way to restore physical possession 
of the item to the Creator and to begin completion of the ceremony. The 
Creator is the only One who has the right to possess this type of 
cultural item after its use by humans. The traditional cultural 
authorities who have been consulted have determined that this cultural 
item must now be properly put away.

Determinations Made by the Heard Museum

    Officials of the Heard Museum 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(3)(D), the one 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 sacred 
object and object of cultural patrimony and Yavapai-Apache Nation of 
the Camp Verde Indian Reservation, Arizona.

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 David M. Roche, Heard Museum, 2301 North 
Central Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85004, telephone (602) 251-0226, email 
[email protected], by July 14, 2017. After that date, if no additional 
claimants have come forward, transfer of control of the sacred object 
and object of cultural patrimony to Yavapai-Apache Nation of the Camp 
Verde Indian Reservation, Arizona, may proceed.
    The Heard Museum is responsible for notifying the San Carlos Apache 
Tribe of the San Carlos Reservation, Arizona; Tonto Apache Tribe of 
Arizona; White Mountain Apache Tribe of the Fort Apache Reservation, 
Arizona; and Yavapai-Apache Nation of the Camp Verde Indian 
Reservation, Arizona, that this notice has been published.

    Dated: April 27, 2017.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2017-12291 Filed 6-13-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-52-P