[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 79 (Tuesday, April 27, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 22261-22262]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-08766]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0031766; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]


Notice of Intent To Repatriate Cultural Items: University of 
Denver Museum of Anthropology, Denver, CO

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The University of Denver Museum of Anthropology, 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 unassociated funerary 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 University of 
Denver Museum of Anthropology. 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 University of Denver Museum 
of Anthropology at the address in this notice by May 27, 2021.

ADDRESSES: Anne Amati, University of Denver Museum of Anthropology, 
2000 E Asbury Avenue, Sturm Hall 146, Denver, CO 80208, telephone (303) 
871-2687, 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 Denver Museum of Anthropology, Denver, CO, 
that meet the definition of unassociated funerary 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 Items

    In 1932, 23 cultural items were removed from two rock-shelters in 
Middle Creek Canyon, near Beulah, in Pueblo County, CO. The cultural 
items were removed by Chester A. Thomas and sent to E.B. Renaud at the 
University of Denver. The 23 unassociated funerary objects are three 
sandals, one pot rest, one feather blanket, one side scraper, two 
flakers, two basket base fragments, one pillow, two sandal fragments, 
one lot of yucca twigs, two abraders, two lots of cordage, four digging 
sticks, and one snare.
    Museum records and tribal oral history indicate that the two rock-
shelters were most likely burial locations. Pueblo County, CO, is 
located within the aboriginal homelands of the Mouache Band of Utes. 
Historical documents indicate the presence of the Ute people on the 
Front Range during Spanish and U.S. occupation. Today, Mouache 
descendants are one of two Ute Bands who comprise the Southern Ute 
Indian Tribe of the Southern Ute Reservation, Colorado.

Determinations Made by the University of Denver Museum of Anthropology

    Officials of the University of Denver Museum of Anthropology have 
determined that:
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(B), the 23 cultural items 
described above are reasonably believed to have been placed with or 
near individual human remains at the time of death or later as part of 
the death rite or ceremony and are believed, by a preponderance of the 
evidence, to have been removed from a

[[Page 22262]]

specific burial site of a Native American individual.
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(2), there is a relationship of 
shared group identity that can be reasonably traced between the 
unassociated funerary objects and the Southern Ute Indian Tribe of the 
Southern Ute Reservation, Colorado.

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 Anne Amati, University of Denver Museum of 
Anthropology, 2000 E Asbury Ave, Sturm Hall 146, Denver, CO 80208, 
telephone (303) 871-2687, email [email protected], by May 27, 2021. 
After that date, if no additional claimants have come forward, transfer 
of control of the unassociated funerary objects to the Southern Ute 
Indian Tribe of the Southern Ute Reservation, Colorado may proceed.
    The University of Denver Museum of Anthropology is responsible for 
notifying the Southern Ute Indian Tribe of the Southern Ute 
Reservation, Colorado that this notice has been published.

    Dated: April 19, 2021.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2021-08766 Filed 4-26-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-52-P