[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 36 (Thursday, February 22, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7768-7769]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-03638]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0024991; 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 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 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

[[Page 7769]]

the New York State Museum at the address in this notice by March 26, 
2018.

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 a cultural item under the 
control of the New York State Museum, Albany, NY, that meets the 
definition of a 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 items. The National Park Service is not responsible 
for the determinations in this notice.

History and Description of the Cultural Item(s)

    In 1956, the museum acquired one cultural item as part of a larger 
collection purchased from the Albert G. Heath Collection at the Logan 
Museum of Anthropology at Beloit College in Beloit, WI. The cultural 
item was originally purchased by Mr. Heath from Joe Kishigobenesse, an 
Ottawa, who resided in Emmet County, MI.
    The sacred object is a water drum identified by representatives of 
the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, Michigan, as a 
Grandfather Drum used by the Midewiwin medicine society. Traditional 
religious leaders of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, 
Michigan, have identified the drum as necessary for the practice of 
traditional Native American religions by present-day adherents. Museum 
documentation, supported by oral and written evidence presented during 
consultation, indicates the drum is culturally affiliated with the 
Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, Michigan.

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 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 Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, Michigan.

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 
this cultural item 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 March 26, 2018. After that date, if 
no additional claimants have come forward, transfer of control of the 
sacred object to Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, Michigan, 
may proceed.
    The New York State Museum is responsible for notifying the Little 
Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, Michigan, that this notice has 
been published.

    Dated: February 2, 2018.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2018-03638 Filed 2-21-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4312-52-P