[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 76 (Monday, April 20, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21883-21884]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-08322]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0030086; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]


Notice of Intent To Repatriate Cultural Items: Thomas Burke 
Memorial Washington State Museum, University of Washington, Seattle, WA

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Thomas Burke Memorial Washington State Museum (Burke 
Museum), in consultation with the appropriate Indian Tribes or Native 
Hawaiian organizations, has determined

[[Page 21884]]

that the cultural items listed in this notice meet the definition of 
sacred objects and 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 Burke 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 Burke Museum at the address 
in this notice by May 20, 2020.

ADDRESSES: Sven Haakanson, Curator of Native American Anthropology, 
Burke Museum, University of Washington, Box 353010, Seattle, WA 98195, 
telephone (206) 543-3210, 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 Thomas Burke Memorial Washington State Museum, 
University of Washington, Seattle, WA, that meet the definition of 
sacred objects and 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(s)

    Between 1920-1953, five cultural items were removed from Wrangell, 
AK, by Mr. Walter C. Waters. In 1953, the items were sold to the Burke 
Museum by his widow. The five sacred objects/objects of cultural 
patrimony are Keet S'aaxw, Killerwhale hat (catalog number 1-1436), a 
Aank[aacute]awu W[oacute]odzagaa, Rich Man's Cane, also known as Keet 
W[oacute]odzakaa, Killerwhale Cane (catalog number 1-1443), 
S[aacute]ax, L'axkeit, Marmot Mask (catalog number 1-1442), Xoots 
Shakee.[aacute]t, Bear Headdress (catalog number 1-1447) and Xoots 
Kood[aacute]s', Bear Shirt (catalog number 1-1493).
    At an unknown date, one cultural item was removed from Wrangell, 
AK. The item, a Gunakadeit s'eik daakeit, Sea Monster Pipe (catalog 
number 2.5E561), was acquired by Leonard M. Lasser of Windsor, CT, who 
donated the pipe to the Burke Museum in 1972.
    Sometime between 1926-1937, one cultural item was collected by Axel 
Rasmussen in Wrangell AK. In 1948, the Portland Art Museum purchased 
Axel Rasmussen's collection, including the Xoots L'axkeit, Grizzly Bear 
Mask (catalog number 2.5E604). They later deaccessioned the piece, and 
it was acquired by Bill Holm, who then donated it to the Burke Museum 
in 1974.
    These seven objects all originate from Wrangell AK. This area is 
the home of Naanya.[aacute]ay[iacute] Clan of the Tlingit people of 
Southeastern Alaska. Several of these objects are visible in historic 
photographs including a photograph of Chief Shakes V (Kaawisht[eacute]) 
laying in state ca. 1878, and a photograph of Chief Shakes VI (Gush 
Tlein) along with the possessions of the Naanya.[aacute]ay[iacute] clan 
inside X'atgoo H[iacute]t (Mudshark House) around 1900. Information 
provided by the Tribes indicates that the Naa Shaadeihani, (head man) 
or Hit s'aasti (House Leader) were caretakers of these objects, but the 
objects were communally owned by the clan. These leaders and their 
relatives were not allowed to make independent decisions to dispose of 
or alienate clan property. Additionally, these objects are an integral 
part of ceremonial practices of the Tlingit people and are used during 
ceremonial activities to represent and unify clan members. Today the 
Naanya.[aacute]ay[iacute] clan is represented by the Wrangell 
Cooperative Association and the Central Council of the Tlingit & Haida 
Indian Tribes.

Determinations Made by the Burke Museum

    Officials of the Burke Museum have determined that:
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(C), the seven 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(3)(D), the seven 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 sacred 
objects, and objects of cultural patrimony and the Central Council of 
the Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes and the Wrangell Cooperative 
Association.

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 Sven Haakanson, Curator of Native American 
Anthropology, Burke Museum, University of Washington, Box 353010, 
Seattle, WA 98195, telephone (206) 543-3210, email [email protected], by May 
20, 2020. After that date, if no additional claimants have come 
forward, transfer of control of the sacred objects and objects of 
cultural patrimony to the Central Council of the Tlingit & Haida Indian 
Tribes and the Wrangell Cooperative Association may proceed.
    The Burke Museum is responsible for notifying Central Council of 
the Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes and the Wrangell Cooperative 
Association that this notice has been published.

    Dated: March 25, 2020.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2020-08322 Filed 4-17-20; 8:45 am]
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