[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 211 (Thursday, November 4, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Page 60912]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-24048]



[[Page 60912]]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0032919; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]


Notice of Intent To Repatriate Cultural Items: Denver Museum of 
Nature & Science, Denver, CO

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Denver Museum of Nature & Science, in consultation with 
the appropriate Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations, has 
determined that the cultural item listed in this notice meets the 
definition of a sacred object and object of cultural patrimony. Lineal 
descendants or representatives of any Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian 
organization not identified in this notice that wish to claim this 
cultural item should submit a written request to the Denver Museum of 
Nature & Science. If no additional claimants come forward, transfer of 
control of the cultural item 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 this cultural item should submit a written request with 
information in support of the claim to the Denver Museum of Nature & 
Science at the address in this notice by December 6, 2021.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Stephen E. Nash, Director of 
Anthropology, Denver Museum of Nature & Science, 2001 Colorado 
Boulevard, Denver, CO 80205, telephone (303) 370-6056, 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 a cultural item under the 
control of the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, Denver, CO, that 
meets the definition of a sacred object and the definition of an object 
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

    On an unknown date, Pat Read, owner of Pat Read Trading Company in 
Lawrence, KS, obtained a cultural item from an unknown source. On 
September 21, 1954, the item, a False Face mask (AC.290), was purchased 
from Read by Mary and Francis Crane. In November of 1972, Mary Crane 
donated the mask to the Denver Museum of Nature & Science (then called 
the Denver Museum of Natural History).
    In 1974, anthropologist William Fenton stated that, based on his 
knowledge and expertise, the mask was ``not typical of Iroquois work.'' 
Furthermore, in 1999, during consultations between Haudenosaunee 
representatives and Denver Museum of Nature & Science curator Joyce 
Herold, certain cultural experts remarked that the mask was ``probably 
not Iroquois made'' and that it ``should be shown to the Seneca-Cayuga 
in Oklahoma.'' Following research conducted during 2015-2017, the 
Denver Museum of Nature & Science determined that, based on 
geographical, folkloric, oral traditional, and historical information, 
and consultation, this False Face Mask is culturally affiliated with 
the Seneca-Cayuga Nation.

Determinations Made by the Denver Museum of Nature & Science

    Officials of the Denver Museum of Nature & Science have determined 
that:
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(C), the one cultural item 
described above is a specific ceremonial object 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 one cultural item 
described above has 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 
object and object 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 
this cultural item should submit a written request with information in 
support of the claim to Dr. Stephen E. Nash, Director of Anthropology, 
Denver Museum of Nature & Science, 2001 Colorado Boulevard, Denver, CO 
80205, telephone (303) 370-6056, email [email protected], by 
December 6, 2021. After that date, if no additional claimants have come 
forward, transfer of control of the sacred object and object of 
cultural patrimony to the Seneca-Cayuga Nation [previously listed as 
Seneca-Cayuga Tribe of Oklahoma] may proceed.
    The Denver Museum of Nature & Science is responsible for notifying 
the Seneca-Cayuga Nation [previously listed as Seneca-Cayuga Tribe of 
Oklahoma] that this notice has been published.

    Dated: October 23, 2021.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2021-24048 Filed 11-3-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-52-P