[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 201 (Friday, October 16, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65869-65870]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-22920]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0030991; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]


Notice of Intent To Repatriate Cultural Items: University of 
California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The University of California Berkeley, 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 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 Office of the 
Vice Chancellor for Research, University of California Berkeley. 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

[[Page 65870]]

information in support of the claim to the Office of the Vice 
Chancellor for Research, University of California Berkeley at the 
address in this notice by November 16, 2020.

ADDRESSES: Dr. Thomas Torma, NAGPRA Liaison, Office of the Vice 
Chancellor for Research, University of California Berkeley, 119 
California Hall, Berkeley, CA 94720-1500, telephone (510) 672-5388, 
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 University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, 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 Items

    In 1906, seven cultural items were removed from the home of Ms. 
Julia Gates, which was located near Salmon Creek in Humboldt County, 
CA. The items are one feather head ornament, two pipes, two scabbards, 
one belt, and one fawn skin casing. They were ``picked up'' by Alfred 
Kroeber from Ms. Gates' home when she was an ``old, blind woman.'' 
Julia Gates was a well-known healer and a leader in the Wiyot 
community. The items are part of a set of doctoring regalia used in the 
practice of traditional healing and in tribal ceremonies. Based on 
consultation with the Wiyot Tribe, California, these seven sacred 
objects items are also objects of cultural patrimony.
    Sometime before 1907, six cultural items were removed from the home 
of Julia Gates, which was located near Salmon Creek in Humboldt County, 
CA. The items are one set of condor feather hair ties, two condor 
feathers, one pipe, one pipe scabbard, and one belt. They were donated 
to the University of California Berkeley by Cornelius E. Rumsey. How 
Rumsey came into possession of the items unclear, but most likely, the 
items are part of the set of doctoring regalia that Krober picked up 
from Julia Gates in 1906. Based on consultation with the Wiyot Tribe, 
California, these six sacred objects items are also objects of cultural 
patrimony.
    In 1929, eight cultural items were removed from a location near 
Humboldt Bay, in Humboldt County, CA. The items are one bluebird and 
yellow hammer headdress, three condor feathers, one pipe, one pipe 
scabbard, one belt, and one deerskin. Their transfer to UC Berkeley was 
arranged by Ms. Martha Herricks. These items comprise a set of 
doctoring regalia. Most likely, this set was created by Julia Gates and 
subsequently was passed on to Winnie Buckley, who was a Wiyot ``sucking 
doctor.'' According to oral tradition and cultural practice, such a 
transfer would have been considered a loan. Based on consultation with 
the Wiyot Tribe, California, these eight sacred objects items are also 
objects of cultural patrimony.
    The cultural affiliation of the 21 cultural items listed above is 
to the Wiyot Tribe, California. This affiliation is supported by museum 
records, ethnographic sources, historical sources and newspapers, oral 
tradition, and other information provided through consultation with 
tribal representatives.

Determinations Made by the University of California Berkeley

    Officials of the University of California Berkeley have determined 
that:
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(C), the 21 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 21 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 Wiyot Tribe, 
California (previously listed as Table Bluff Reservation--Wiyot 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 Dr. Thomas Torma, NAGPRA Liaison, Office of 
the Vice Chancellor for Research, University of California Berkeley, 
119 California Hall, Berkeley, CA 94720-1500, telephone (510) 672-5388, 
email [email protected], by November 16, 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 Wiyot Tribe, 
California (previously listed as Table Bluff Reservation--Wiyot Tribe) 
may proceed.
    The University of California, Berkeley is responsible for notifying 
the Wiyot Tribe, California (previously listed as Table Bluff 
Reservation--Wiyot Tribe) that this notice has been published.

    Dated: September 28, 2020.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2020-22920 Filed 10-15-20; 8:45 am]
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