[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 66 (Wednesday, April 6, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Page 19972]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-07169]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0033673; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]


Notice of Intent To Repatriate Cultural Items: The Children's 
Museum of Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Children's Museum of Indianapolis, 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 Children's Museum of Indianapolis. 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 Children's Museum of 
Indianapolis at the address in this notice by May 6, 2022.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jennifer Noffze, The Children's Museum 
of Indianapolis, 3000 N Meridian Street, Indianapolis, IN 46208, 
telephone (317) 334-3722, 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 Children's Museum of Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, 
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

    The six sacred objects are False Face masks. Three of the False 
Face masks were acquired from the Museum of the American Indian in New 
York in 1967 and are attributed to the Iroquois from the Onondaga 
reservation. Two masks were purchased in 1976 and are attributed to the 
Iroquois. One mask was donated in 1985 and was attributed by the donor 
to the Iroquois. During consultation with The Children's Museum of 
Indianapolis, the Onondaga Nation confirmed the cultural affiliation of 
these masks and their identity as sacred objects.

Determinations Made by The Children's Museum of Indianapolis

    Officials of The Children's Museum of Indianapolis have determined 
that:
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(C), the six 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(2), there is a relationship of 
shared group identity that can be reasonably traced between the sacred 
objects and the Onondaga Nation.

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 Jennifer Noffze, The Children's Museum of 
Indianapolis, 3000 N Meridian Street, Indianapolis, IN 46208, telephone 
(317) 334-3722, email [email protected], by May 6, 2022. After 
that date, if no additional claimants have come forward, transfer of 
control of the sacred objects to the Onondaga Nation may proceed.
    The Children's Museum of Indianapolis is responsible for notifying 
the Onondaga Nation that this notice has been published.

    Dated: March 30, 2022.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2022-07169 Filed 4-5-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-52-P