[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 45 (Wednesday, March 6, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16017-16018]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-04653]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0037515; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]


Notice of Intended Repatriation: Ball State University (BSU), 
David Owsley Museum of Art (DOMA), Muncie, IN

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and 
Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the David Owsley Museum of Art of Ball State 
University (DOMA) intends to repatriate certain cultural items that 
meet the definition of sacred objects and objects of cultural patrimony 
and that have a cultural affiliation with the Indian Tribe identified 
in this notice.

DATES: Repatriation of the cultural items in this notice may occur on 
or after April 5, 2024.

ADDRESSES: Chyan Gilaspy, Ball State University, Applied Anthropology 
Laboratories, 2000 W Riverside Avenue, Muncie, IN 47306, telephone 
(765) 285-5362, email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice is published as part of the 
National Park Service's administrative responsibilities under NAGPRA. 
The determinations in this notice are the sole responsibility of DOMA, 
and additional information on the determinations in this notice, 
including the results of consultation, can be found in the summary or 
related records. The National Park Service is not responsible for the 
determinations in this notice.

Abstract of Information Available

    A total of seven cultural items have been requested for 
repatriation. The sacred objects/objects of cultural patrimony are five 
basket hats, one basket with a lid, and one basket. The seven cultural 
items were removed from an unknown county and state, likely originating 
from Northern California and/or Southern Oregon. In 1983, a private 
individual donated five of the objects of cultural patrimony/sacred 
objects (four basket hats, one basket with lid) to DOMA. These are 
identified by DOMA catalog numbers 1983.006.003, 1983.006.004a, 
1983.006.004b, 1983.006.005a-b, and 1983.006.059. In 2018, the estate 
of a private individual bequeathed two of the objects of cultural 
patrimony/sacred objects (one basket hat and one basket) to DOMA. These 
are identified by DOMA catalog numbers 2018.052.022 and 2018.052.024. 
No information is available for any of the objects concerning the dates 
of creation, donor

[[Page 16018]]

acquisition history, or previous treatments of hazardous substances.

Determinations

    DOMA has determined that:
     The seven sacred objects/objects of cultural patrimony 
described in this notice are, according to the Native American 
traditional knowledge of an Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian 
organization, specific ceremonial objects needed by a traditional 
Native American religious leader for present-day adherents to practice 
traditional Native American religion, and have ongoing historical, 
traditional, or cultural importance central to the Native American 
group, including any constituent sub-group (such as a band, clan, 
lineage, ceremonial society, or other subdivision).
     There is a reasonable connection between the cultural 
items described in this notice and the Resighini Rancheria, California.

Requests for Repatriation

    Additional, written requests for repatriation of the cultural items 
in this notice must be sent to the authorized representative identified 
in this notice under ADDRESSES. Requests for repatriation may be 
submitted by any lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian 
organization not identified in this notice who shows, by a 
preponderance of the evidence, that the requestor is a lineal 
descendant or a culturally affiliated Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian 
organization.
    Repatriation of the cultural items in this notice to a requestor 
may occur on or after April 5, 2024. If competing requests for 
repatriation are received, DOMA must determine the most appropriate 
requestor prior to repatriation. Requests for joint repatriation of the 
cultural items are considered a single request and not competing 
requests. The DOMA is responsible for sending a copy of this notice to 
the Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations identified in this 
notice and to any other consulting parties.
    Authority: Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, 
25 U.S.C. 3004 and the implementing regulations, 43 CFR 10.9.

    Dated: February 27, 2024.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2024-04653 Filed 3-5-24; 8:45 am]
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