[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 27 (Friday, February 8, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2905-2906]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-01640]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0027166; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]


Notice of Intent To Repatriate Cultural Items: St. Joseph 
Museums, Inc., St. Joseph, MO

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The St. Joseph 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 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 St. Joseph 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 St. Joseph Museum, at the 
address in this notice by March 11, 2019.

ADDRESSES: Trevor Tutt, St. Joseph Museums, Inc., 3406 Frederick 
Avenue, St. Joseph, MO 64506, telephone (816) 232-8471, 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 St. Joseph Museums, Inc., St. Joseph, MO, 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 Items

    The three objects of cultural patrimony are a Life Stick, tattooing 
needle from a sacred bundle, and a stick bundle. In October 1915, Harry 
L. George purchased an ``Osage Life Stick'' from Vern Thornburgh of 
Lincoln, NE, for $12.50. Francis La Flesche was in correspondence with 
Mr. Thornburgh regarding the Life Stick and stated that it belonged to 
``See Haw'' before his death. La Flesche also stated that the Life 
Stick had belonged to one of the Buffalo clans of the Osage tribe and 
was used in ceremonies. Based on consultation and the available 
information, the Life Stick fits the NAGPRA definition of an object of 
cultural patrimony.
    In March 1916, Harry L. George purchased a tattooing needle from 
the Indian Curio Company of Oklahoma City, OK, for $10. According to 
correspondence, George was trading items purchased from Thornburgh with 
the Indian Curio Company. Based on consultation with the Osage Nation, 
the tattooing needle was a component of a sacred bundle, was removed 
from the bundle, and was sold to Mr. George.
    On an unknown date, Harry L. George acquired a bundle of counting 
sticks. During consultation with the Osage Nation, the bundle of 
counting sticks was identified as a consecrated item and an object of 
cultural patrimony.
    Consultation with the Osage Nation on these three objects began in 
July 2015. Representatives of the Osage Nation visited the St. Joseph 
Museum in July 2017 to view the Harry L. George collection. During 
consultation, the Osage Nation identified the objects listed above as 
objects of cultural patrimony. After consulting with the Osage 
Traditional Cultural Advisors Committee, in July 2018, the Osage Nation 
requested the repatriation of these three cultural items.

Determinations Made by the St. Joseph Museum

    Officials of the St. Joseph Museum have determined that:
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(D), the three cultural items 
described above have 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 objects 
of cultural patrimony and The Osage Nation (previously listed as the 
Osage Tribe).

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 Trevor Tutt, St. Joseph Museums, Inc., 3406 
Frederick Avenue, St. Joseph, MO 64506, telephone (816) 232-8471, email 
[email protected], by March 11, 2019. After that date, if no 
additional claimants have come forward, transfer of control of the 
objects of cultural patrimony to The Osage Nation (previously listed as 
the Osage Tribe) may proceed.
    The St. Joseph Museum is responsible for notifying The Osage Nation 
(previously listed as the Osage Tribe) that this notice has been 
published.


[[Page 2906]]


    Dated: December 11, 2018.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2019-01640 Filed 2-7-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4312-52-P