[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 27 (Friday, February 8, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2919-2920]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-01616]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0027158; 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 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 this cultural item should 
submit a written request to the New York State Museum. 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 this cultural item 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 March 11, 2019.

ADDRESSES: Lisa Anderson, NAGPRA Coordinator, 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 objects 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 the late nineteenth century, one cultural item was acquired by 
the New York State Museum through Harriet Maxwell Converse (E-37417). 
The one cultural item is a wampum belt known as the Ransom wampum belt. 
It is composed of six rows of purple beads interspersed with white 
beads forming five diagonal bands and two white open hexagons. The 
wampum belt is strung on leather warps with thread wefts and mounted on 
linen backing. The wampum belt measures 24\3/4\ inches long and 1\3/4\ 
inches wide.
    Museum records indicate Converse identified the Ransom wampum belt 
as ``Onondaga.'' She reported that this wampum belt was used by women 
as ransom to spare the life of a prisoner. As such, the Ransom wampum 
belt symbolizes the role of women in the adoption of captives.
    The records of the New York State Museum establish the cultural 
affiliation of this wampum belt with the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, and 
specifically with the Onondaga Nation. Based on consultation with the 
Onondaga Nation, the Ransom wampum belt is an object of cultural 
patrimony, as it relates to the civil functions of a Council.

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)(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 object 
of cultural patrimony and the Onondaga Nation.

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

[[Page 2920]]

information in support of the claim to Lisa Anderson, NAGPRA 
Coordinator, New York State Museum, 3049 Cultural Education Center, 
Albany, NY 12230, telephone (518) 486-2020, email 
[email protected], by March 11, 2019. After that date, if no 
additional claimants have come forward, transfer of control of the 
object of cultural patrimony to the Onondaga Nation may proceed.
    The New York State Museum is responsible for notifying the Onondaga 
Nation that this notice has been published.

    Dated: December 11, 2018.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2019-01616 Filed 2-7-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4312-52-P