[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 82 (Monday, April 29, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18078-18079]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-08593]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0027611, PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]


Notice of Intent To Repatriate Cultural Items: Birmingham Museum 
of Art, Birmingham, AL

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Birmingham Museum of Art, 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 Birmingham Museum of Art. 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 Birmingham Museum of Art at 
the address in this notice by May 29, 2019.

ADDRESSES: Emily G. Hanna, Senior Curator, Birmingham Museum of Art, 
2000 Rev. Abraham Woods Jr. Boulevard, Birmingham, AL 35203, telephone 
(205) 254-2983, 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 Birmingham Museum of Art, Birmingham, AL, 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

    Sometime in the 20th century, two cultural items were removed from 
Wrangell, AK. One of the objects, a S'aaxw (hat), was acquired by Axel 
Rasmussen prior to his death in 1945. In 1948, it was acquired by the 
Portland Art Museum (PAM). In 1955-56, the PAM deaccessioned the object 
and sold it to the Birmingham Museum of Art (accession number 
1956.48.26).
    The other object, a Keet Koowaal (Killerwhale with a Hole in its 
Fin), was purchased by the Birmingham Museum of Art in 2000 from Axis 
Gallery in NY (accession number 2000.83). Axis Gallery had purchased it 
in May 2000 from Mac Grimmer, who had purchased it from Alan Steele in 
April 2000. According to Axis Gallery, this object was once in the 
collection of Patricia Withof, and prior to that, it was in an English 
private collection.
    Based on consultation with the Central Council of the Tlingit & 
Haida Indian Tribes, the Birmingham Museum of Art can reasonably show 
that these objects of cultural patrimony are culturally affiliated with 
the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes.

Determinations Made by the Birmingham Museum of Art

    Officials of the Birmingham Museum of Art have determined that:
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(D), the two cultural items 
described above have ongoing historical, traditional, or

[[Page 18079]]

cultural importance central to a 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 Central Council of the Tlingit & Haida 
Tribes.

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 Emily G. Hanna, Senior Curator, Birmingham 
Museum of Art, 2000 Rev. Abraham Woods Jr. Blvd., Birmingham, AL 35203, 
telephone (205) 254-2983, email [email protected], by May 29, 2019. 
After that date, if no additional claimants have come forward, transfer 
of control of the objects of cultural patrimony to the Central Council 
of the Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes may proceed.
    The Birmingham Museum of Art is responsible for notifying the 
Central Council of the Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes that this notice 
has been published.

    Dated: April 2, 2019.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2019-08593 Filed 4-26-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4312-52-P