[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 150 (Monday, August 5, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Page 38047]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-16678]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0028453; 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 September 4, 2019.

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 Item(s)

    In 1898, the New York State Museum acquired five cultural items 
from members of the Cayuga Nation. The five sacred objects are wooden 
medicine masks donated by Harriet Maxwell Converse of New York City, 
NY. Museum records indicate the medicine masks are culturally 
affiliated with the Cayuga Nation. One of the medicine faces was 
reportedly made in Canada about 1779 (E-37047). The other four masks 
have no additional provenience information (E-37027, E-37045, E-37050, 
E-37603).
    Traditional religious leaders of the Cayuga Nation have identified 
these five medicine faces as being needed for the practice of 
traditional Native American religions by present-day adherents. Museum 
documentation, supported by oral evidence presented during consultation 
with members of the Haudenosaunee Standing Committee on Burial Rules 
and Regulations, indicates that these medicine faces are culturally 
affiliated with the Cayuga Nation.

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 five 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 Cayuga 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 
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 September 4, 2019. After that date, 
if no additional claimants have come forward, transfer of control of 
the sacred objects to the Cayuga Nation 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 Indian Nation (previously listed as the 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: July 16, 2019.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2019-16678 Filed 8-2-19; 8:45 am]
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