[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 68 (Monday, April 8, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Page 24502]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-07355]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0037668; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]


Notice of Intended Repatriation: St. Joseph Museums, Inc; St. 
Joseph, MO

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 St. Joseph Museums, Inc. 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 Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations in 
this notice.

DATES: Repatriation of the cultural items in this notice may occur on 
or after May 8, 2024.

ADDRESSES: Tori Zieger, St. Joseph Museums, Inc., 3406 Frederick 
Avenue, St. Joseph, MO 64506, telephone (816) 752-2778 (cell); 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 the 
St. Joseph Museums, Inc. 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 two cultural items have been requested for repatriation. 
The two sacred objects/objects of cultural patrimony are sacred 
bundles, labeled as medicine bags in museum inventory. The first 
medicine bundle is labeled as belonging to Otter Lodge. This bundle was 
sold to Harry L. George approximately February of 1916 by Vern 
Thornburg of Lincoln, NE. The second bundle is labeled as belonging to 
Snake Lodge. It was sold to Harry L. George in the early 1900s.

Determinations

    The St. Joseph Museums, Inc. has determined that:
     The two 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 Iowa Tribe of Kansas and 
Nebraska.

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 May 8, 2024. If competing requests for 
repatriation are received, the St. Joseph Museums, Inc. 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 St. Joseph Museums, Inc. 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: March 22, 2024.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2024-07355 Filed 4-5-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-52-P