[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 120 (Friday, June 25, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Page 33734]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-13513]



[[Page 33734]]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0032109; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]


Notice of Intent To Repatriate Cultural Items: Gilcrease Museum, 
Tulsa, OK

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Gilcrease 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 both 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 Gilcrease 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 Gilcrease Museum at the 
address in this notice by July 26, 2021.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Laura Bryant, Gilcrease Museum, 1400 N 
Gilcrease Museum Road, Tulsa, OK 74127, telephone (918) 596-2747, 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 Gilcrease Museum, Tulsa, OK, that meet the definition of 
both 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

    At an unknown date, five cultural items were removed from a Seneca-
Cayuga community. Thomas Gilcrease most likely purchased these items 
from another collector sometime in the mid-20th century. In 1955, 
Gilcrease transferred his museum and most of his collection, including 
these five items, to the City of Tulsa. The five sacred objects and 
objects of cultural patrimony are three False Faces (accession numbers 
84.1699, 84.1701, and 84.1802) and two turtle rattles (accession 
numbers 93.136 and 93.137).
    In 1938, two cultural items were removed from the Seneca Stomp 
Grounds in Delaware County, OK. These items were made by Red Jacket, a 
Seneca man, who used them in traditional religious ceremonies. In 1938, 
Alfred Reed, Jr. purchased the items from Red Jacket. In 1939, Thomas 
Gilcrease purchased Alfred Reed, Jr.'s collection, including these two 
items. In 1955, Gilcrease transferred his museum and most of his 
collection, including these two items, to the City of Tulsa. The two 
sacred objects and objects of cultural patrimony are one False Face 
(accession number 84.1700) and one turtle rattle (accession number 
93.138).
    At an unknown date most likely in the mid-20th century, one 
cultural item was removed from a Seneca-Cayuga community. This item was 
acquired by Carol Rachlin and Alice Marriott most likely during their 
travels and work as anthropologists. In 2014, the Gilcrease Museum 
received Carol Rachlin's collection, which included this item. The 
sacred object and object of cultural patrimony is a False Face.
    False Faces and the turtle rattles associated with them have been, 
and still are, used by the Seneca Cayuga people in traditional 
religious ceremonies and are, therefore, culturally affiliated with the 
Seneca-Cayuga Nation. These cultural items are needed by present-day 
adherents of the False Face Medicine Society and cannot be individually 
owned, as they belong to the Society as a whole.

Determinations Made by the Gilcrease Museum

    Officials of the Gilcrease Museum have determined that:
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(C), the eight 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 eight 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 Seneca-Cayuga Nation 
[previously listed as Seneca-Cayuga Tribe of Oklahoma].

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 Laura Bryant, Gilcrease Museum, 1400 N. 
Gilcrease Museum Road, Tulsa, OK 74127, telephone (918) 596-2747, email 
[email protected], by July 26, 2021. After that date, if no 
additional claimants have come forward, transfer of control of the 
sacred objects and objects of cultural patrimony to the Seneca-Cayuga 
Nation [previously listed as Seneca-Cayuga Tribe of Oklahoma] may 
proceed.
    The Gilcrease Museum is responsible for notifying the Seneca-Cayuga 
Nation [previously listed as Seneca-Cayuga Tribe of Oklahoma] that this 
notice has been published.

    Dated: June 9, 2021.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2021-13513 Filed 6-24-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-52-P