[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 215 (Wednesday, November 8, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51865-51866]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-24228]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0024162; 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 December 8, 2017.

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 Items

    In 1898, Harriet Maxwell Converse of New York City, NY, donated 18 
cultural items to the New York State Museum (hereafter ``Museum''). The 
18 cultural items are wooden medicine masks (E-36730, E-36914, E-37016, 
E-37017, E-37033, E-37038, E-37053, E-37054, E-37057, E-37598, E-37601, 
E-37604, E-37608, E-37616, E-52, E-59). Museum records identify the 
masks as Seneca.
    In the late 19th or early 20th century, the Museum acquired two 
cultural items. The two cultural items are wooden medicine masks (E-
37023, E-37605) identified in Museum records as Seneca.
    In 1905, Arthur C. Parker, Museum ethnologist and archeologist, 
acquired one cultural item (E-37031). The cultural item is a wooden 
medicine mask identified in Museum records as Seneca.
    In 1909, Arthur C. Parker acquired one cultural item, a wooden 
medicine mask (E-37042) for the Museum. The mask is identified in 
Museum records as Seneca.
    In 1909, John M. Clarke, Museum Director, acquired one cultural 
item, a wooden medicine mask (E-36867) for the Museum. Museum records 
identify the mask as probably Seneca.
    In 1910, Arthur C. Parker acquired one cultural item, a cornhusk 
medicine mask (E-36925) for the Museum. Museum records indicate the 
mask is Seneca.
    In 1913, Arthur C. Parker acquired two cultural items for the 
Museum. The two cultural items are cornhusk medicine masks (E-36924A, 
E-36924B). Museum records indicate the masks are Seneca.
    In 1916, Arthur C. Parker acquired one cultural item, a cornhusk 
medicine mask (E-37570F) for the Museum. The mask was used in an 
exhibit, and may have been commissioned from Sophia Jones of Lawton, 
NY.
    In 1956, the Museum purchased two cultural items from the Logan 
Museum of Anthropology, Beloit College, WI. The cultural items were 
part of a larger collection made by Albert Green Heath. One cultural 
item is a wooden medicine mask (E-50316), and the other is a turtle 
shell medicine mask purchased from an individual identified only as 
P.W. (E-50318).
    In 1957, Archibald T. Shorey of Albany, NY, donated three cultural 
items to the Museum. The cultural items are wooden medicine masks (E-
50400, E-50401, E-50402). Museum records identify the three cultural 
items as Seneca.
    In 1958, the Museum acquired one cultural item from Sam Grey Wolf 
(E-50415). The cultural item is a wooden medicine mask. A notation 
written on the inside of the mask indicates it was made by Jessie 
Cornplanter.
    In 2008, the Schenectady Historical Society, Schenectady, NY, 
transferred one cultural item. The cultural item is a miniature 
cornhusk medicine mask (E2008.5.41). Museum records identify the mask 
as Seneca.
    Traditional religious leaders of the Seneca Nation of Indians 
(previously listed as the Seneca Nation of New York) and the Tonawanda 
Band of Seneca (previously listed as the Tonawanda Band of Seneca 
Indians of New York) have identified these 32 medicine masks as being 
needed for the practice of traditional Native American religions by 
present-day adherents. Museum documentation, supported by

[[Page 51866]]

oral evidence presented during consultation with members of the 
Haudenosaunee Standing Committee on Burial Rules and Regulations, 
indicates that these medicine masks are culturally affiliated with the 
Seneca Nation of Indians (previously listed as the Seneca Nation of New 
York) and the Tonawanda Band of Seneca (previously listed as the 
Tonawanda Band of Seneca Indians of New York).

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 32 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 Nation of Indians (previously listed as the 
Seneca Nation of New York) and the Tonawanda Band of Seneca (previously 
listed as the Tonawanda Band of Seneca Indians of New York).

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 (518) 486-2020, 
email [email protected], by December 8, 2017. After that date, if 
no additional claimants have come forward, transfer of control of the 
sacred objects to the Seneca Nation of Indians (previously listed as 
the Seneca Nation of New York) and the Tonawanda Band of Seneca 
(previously listed as the Tonawanda Band of Seneca Indians of New York) 
may proceed.
    The New York State Museum is responsible for notifying the Cayuga 
Nation; Oneida Nation (previously listed as the Oneida Tribe of Indians 
of Wisconsin); Oneida Nation of New York; 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 Nation (previously listed as the 
Seneca-Cayuga Tribe of Oklahoma); Tonawanda Band of Seneca (previously 
listed as the Tonawanda Band of Seneca Indians of New York); and the 
Tuscarora Nation that this notice has been published.

    Dated: September 15, 2017.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2017-24228 Filed 11-7-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4312-52-P