[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 96 (Wednesday, May 18, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Page 30260]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-10647]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0033922; 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 item listed in this notice meets the definition of an 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 Gilcrease Museum. 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 Gilcrease Museum at the 
address in this notice by June 17, 2022.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Laura Bryant, Gilcrease Museum, 800 S 
Tucker Drive, Tulsa, OK 74104, 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 a cultural item under the 
control of the Gilcrease Museum, Tulsa, OK, that meets 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

    In 1958, one cultural item was removed from McAlester, OK. In 1958, 
Thomas Gilcrease acquired the item from Louie LeFlore, great-
granddaughter of Chief Greenwood LeFlore, whose family had held it 
since the 1830 Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek. In 1963-1964, Gilcrease 
transferred his collection to the City of Tulsa, including this item. 
The one object of cultural patrimony is a limestone figural pipe.
    This pipe was used in a traditional ceremony as a sign of peace at 
one of the most defining moments in Choctaw History, the signing of the 
Dancing Rabbit Creek Treaty. That Treaty ushered in the removal of the 
Choctaw people from their aboriginal land over a 70-year period. The 
pipe has ongoing historical importance for the creation of The Choctaw 
Nation in Oklahoma. While it may have been in the stewardship of one 
family, it is communally owned by The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma.

Determinations Made by the Gilcrease Museum

    Officials of the Gilcrease Museum have determined that:
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(D), the one cultural item 
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 object 
of cultural patrimony and The Choctaw 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 Laura Bryant, Gilcrease Museum, 800 S Tucker 
Drive, Tulsa, OK 74104, telephone (918) 596-2747, email [email protected], by June 17, 2022. After that date, if no additional 
claimants have come forward, transfer of control of the object of 
cultural patrimony to The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma may proceed.
    The Gilcrease Museum is responsible for notifying The Choctaw 
Nation of Oklahoma that this notice has been published.

    Dated: May 10, 2022.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2022-10647 Filed 5-17-22; 8:45 am]
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