[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 13 (Thursday, January 20, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Page 3119]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-01046]



[[Page 3119]]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0033279; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]


Notice of Intent To Repatriate Cultural Item: The Buffalo History 
Museum, Buffalo, NY

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Buffalo History Museum (previously known as the Buffalo 
Historical Society), 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. 
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 Buffalo 
History 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 Buffalo History Museum at 
the address in this notice by February 22, 2022.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Walter Mayer, Sr. Director of Museum 
Collections, The Buffalo History Museum, 1 Museum Court, Buffalo, NY 
14216, telephone (716) 873-9644, 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 Buffalo History Museum, Buffalo, NY, that meet the 
definition of sacred 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 the late 19th century and/or early 20th century, three cultural 
items were presented by Chief Delos Big Kittle of the Seneca Nation of 
Indians [previously listed as Seneca Nation of New York] to George 
Tucker, who became an adopted member of the Bear Clan in 1918. In 1931, 
the Buffalo History Museum purchased these items from George Tucker. 
The three cultural items are one sash worn on all ceremonial occasions 
by Delos Big Kittle, one turtle Rattle, and one child's turtle rattle 
made by Delos Big Kittle's son, Richard Big Kittle. Museum 
documentation indicates that these cultural items are sacred objects 
owned by Delos Big Kittle. Richard Big Kittle of the Seneca Nation of 
Indians and a descendant of Delos Big Kittle, has requested 
repatriation of these three items. These items are important to Delos 
Big Kittle's descendants and can be used in the practice of traditional 
ceremonials.
    Officials of the Buffalo History Museum have determined that:
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(C), the three 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 and can be 
used in the practice of traditional ceremonials by descendants of Delos 
Big Kittle.
     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 Richard Big Kittle.

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 Walter Mayer, Sr. Director of Museum 
Collections, The Buffalo History Museum, 1 Museum Court, Buffalo, NY 
14216, telephone (716) 873-9644, email [email protected], by 
February 22, 2022. After that date, if no additional claimants have 
come forward, transfer of control of the sacred objects to Richard Big 
Kittle may proceed.
    The Buffalo History Museum is responsible for notifying Richard Big 
Kittle and the Cayuga Nation; Oneida Indian Nation [previously listed 
as Oneida Nation of New York]; Oneida Nation [previously listed as 
Oneida Tribe of Indians of Wisconsin]; Onondaga Nation; Saint Regis 
Mohawk Tribe [previously listed as St. Regis Band of Mohawk Indians of 
New York]; Seneca Nation of Indians [previous listed as Seneca Nation 
of New York]; Seneca-Cayuga Nation [previously listed as Seneca-Cayuga 
Tribe of Oklahoma]; Tonawanda Band of Seneca [previously listed as 
Tonawanda Band of Seneca Indians of New York]; and Tuscarora Nation 
that this notice has been published.

    Dated: January 12, 2022.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2022-01046 Filed 1-19-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-52-P