[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 66 (Wednesday, April 6, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19970-19971]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-07168]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0033678; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]


Notice of Intent To Repatriate Cultural Items: American 
Numismatic Society, New York, NY

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The American Numismatic Society (the ``Museum''), 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 an unassociated funerary object. 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 Museum. If no 
additional claimants come forward, transfer of control of the cultural 
item to the lineal descendants,

[[Page 19971]]

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 Museum at the address in 
this notice by May 6, 2022.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Gilles Bransbourg, Executive 
Director, American Numismatic Society, 75 Varick Street, 11th Floor, 
New York, NY 10013, telephone (212) 571-4470, email 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Notice is hereby 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 American Numismatic Society, New York, NY, that meets 
the definition of an unassociated funerary object 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 item. The National Park Service is not responsible 
for the determinations in this notice.

History and Description of the Cultural Item

    In or around 1883, one cultural item was removed from a Skidi 
Pawnee burial site in Nance County, NE. The item was acquired by 
Orlando Thompson. Thompson was accompanied by his niece Mary Ellsworth 
(n[eacute]e Thompson), to whom he presented the item. Some years later, 
Ms. Ellsworth loaned the item to the Nebraska State Historical Society, 
before selling it to J. Sanford Saltus, who purchased the item on 
behalf of the Museum in 1922.
    The one unassociated funerary object is a silver medal bearing the 
inscription ``TO THE BRAVEST OF THE BRAVE,'' and depicting an episode 
in which Chief Petalesharo of the Skidi Pawnee rescued a Comanche woman 
from human sacrifice as part of the Morning Star ceremony. The episode 
received national attention. When Chief Petalesharo visited Washington, 
DC, in 1821, the female students of Miss White's Seminary reportedly 
commissioned a medal in his honor and gifted it to him.
    The Skidi Pawnee, of which Chief Petalesharo was a member, today 
constitute a band of the Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma. Andrew Knife Chief 
(``Knife Chief'') contacted the Museum and identified himself as a 
lineal descendant of Chief Petalesharo, based on genealogical records 
and by means of the traditional kinship system of the Pawnee Nation. In 
a letter dated January 11, 2022, the Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma informed 
the Museum that the Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma, including the Nasharo 
Council and Skidi Band, fully supported Mr. Knife Chief's claim, as he 
is considered a lineal descendant of Chief Petalesharo.

Determinations Made by the American Numismatic Society

    Officials of the American Numismatic Society have determined that:
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(B), the one cultural item 
described above is reasonably believed to have been placed with or near 
the human remains of Chief Petalesharo of the Skidi Pawnee at the time 
of death or later as part of the death rite or ceremony of the Skidi 
Pawnee and is believed, by a preponderance of the evidence, to have 
been removed from the burial site of Chief Petalesharo.
     Pursuant to 43 CFR 10.14(b), Andrew Knife Chief is a 
lineal descendant of Chief Petalesharo, based on genealogical records 
and by means of the traditional kinship system of the Pawnee Nation 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. Gilles Bransbourg, Executive Director, 
American Numismatic Society, 75 Varick Street, 11th Floor, New York, NY 
10013, telephone (212) 571-4470, email [email protected], by 
May 6, 2022. After that date, if no additional claimants have come 
forward, transfer of control of the unassociated funerary object to 
Andrew Knife Chief may proceed.
    The Museum is responsible for notifying Andrew Knife Chief and the 
Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma that this notice has been published.

    Dated: March 30, 2022.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2022-07168 Filed 4-5-22; 8:45 am]
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