[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 171 (Tuesday, September 6, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54531-54532]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-19171]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0034452; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]


Notice of Intent To Repatriate Cultural Items: Field Museum of 
Natural History, Chicago, IL

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Field Museum of Natural History, 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 Field Museum of Natural History. 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 Field Museum of Natural 
History at the address in this notice by October 6, 2022.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Helen Robbins, Repatriation Director, 
Field Museum of Natural History, 1400 South Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, 
IL 60605-2496, telephone (312) 665-7317, 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 Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, IL, 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 1901, nine cultural items were removed from Table Mountain in 
Fresno County, CA. The items were collected by Dr. John Hudson on 
behalf of the Field Museum during a two-year expedition among the 
Native populations of California and accessioned by the Museum in 1901. 
The nine sacred objects are one medicine pot, one batch of tobacco 
emetic, two oak mortars, one batch of limestone emetic, one bunch of 
chamomile leaves, one basket, one wild cucumber seed necklace, and one 
wooden pipe.
    The academic literature, Field Museum records, and consultation 
evidence support the finding that the requested items are Yokuts in 
origin and that there is a clear link between the Table Mountain 
Rancheria and the Yokuts people who lived at Table Mountain at the time 
of collection. Consultation evidence and academic literature indicate 
the importance of these items in traditional ceremonial practices.

Determinations Made by the Field Museum of Natural History

    Officials of the Field Museum of Natural History have determined 
that:
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(C), the nine 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 nine 
sacred objects described above and the Table Mountain Rancheria 
(previously listed as Table Mountain Rancheria of California).

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 Helen Robbins, Repatriation Director, Field 
Museum of Natural History, 1400 South Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 
60605-2496, telephone (312) 665-7317, email [email protected], 
by October 6, 2022. After that date, if no

[[Page 54532]]

additional claimants have come forward, transfer of control of the 
sacred objects to the Table Mountain Rancheria (previously listed as 
Table Mountain Rancheria of California) may proceed.
    The Field Museum of Natural History is responsible for notifying 
the Table Mountain Rancheria (previously listed as Table Mountain 
Rancheria of California) that this notice has been published.

    Dated: August 29, 2022.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2022-19171 Filed 9-2-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-52-P