[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 181 (Monday, September 19, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58032-58033]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-23974]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
[2253-665]
Notice of Intent To Repatriate a Cultural Item: Denver Museum of
Nature and Science, Denver, CO
AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Denver Museum of Nature & Science, in consultation with
the appropriate Indian Tribe, has determined that a cultural item meets
the definition of an object of cultural patrimony and that repatriation
to the Indian Tribe stated below may occur if no additional claimants
come forward. Representatives of any Indian Tribe that
[[Page 58033]]
believes itself to be culturally affiliated with the cultural item may
contact the Denver Museum of Nature & Science.
DATES: Representatives of any Indian Tribe that believes it has a
cultural affiliation with the cultural item should contact the Denver
Museum of Nature & Science at the address below by October 19, 2011.
ADDRESSES: Dr. Chip Colwell-Chanthaphonh, Curator of Anthropology,
NAGPRA Officer, Department of Anthropology, Denver Museum of Nature &
Science, 2001 Colorado Boulevard, Denver, CO 80205, telephone (303)
370-6378.
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 in the
possession of the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, Denver, CO, 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 item. The National Park Service is not responsible
for the determinations in this notice.
History and Description of the Cultural Item
The cultural item is a wooden hat (AC.11506) in the shape of an
eagle that is carved and painted. The hat measures 18 inches long, 14
inches wide, and 9 inches high at the top of head. It is painted in
bright colors, including red, white, black, yellow, orange and light
blue. The head and tail are painted white, and the body is brown. There
are areas on the hat that have inlaid abalone. Two rawhide strips form
head ties. One eagle wing has been broken and repaired.
During consultation, the Hoonah Indian Association, working on
behalf of the Huna Tlingit Tribe, Gooch Hit/Wolf House, Kaagwaantaan
Clan of Hoonah, Alaska, provided evidence that identifies the hat as
Kaagwaantaan Wolf Clan, Eagle Moiety. The claim submitted by the Hoonah
Indian Association details the Clan's claim to the hat as an object of
cultural patrimony, which a single individual cannot alienate.
Oral history indicates that the hat is believed to have been carved
by Yeil naa wu/Dick Yetima of Deisheetaan Clan, Raven House, from
Angoon. The hat then belonged to the Kaagwaantaan Wolf Clan under the
care of Yak Kwaan/Jim Martin. At an unknown date, it passed to clan
caretaker X ee T'lee-eesh/Robert Grant, Sr. In 1966, the hat came into
the control of clan caretaker Robert ``Jeff'' David, Sr. After it came
into the control of Mr. David, the hat was sold. It appears that the
hat was sold without the consent of family or Clan, as the Clan thought
it was lost or stolen, since there was no explanation of where it had
gone.
Museum records show that the hat was purchased by Francis V. and
Mary Crane from Michael R. Johnson of the Michael R. Johnson Gallery,
Seattle, WA, on April 1, 1975. The hat was then given by the Cranes to
the Denver Museum of Natural History (now Denver Museum of Nature &
Science). The description of the purchase also shows that the hat was
carved circa 1930, and was purchased from Mr. Jeff David of Haines, AK,
who stated that the hat was from Hoona [sic], Alaska.
Determinations Made by the Denver Museum of Nature & Science
Officials of the Denver Museum of Nature & Science have determined
that:
Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(D), the one cultural item
described above has 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 Hoonah Indian Association.
Additional Requestors and Disposition
Representatives of any other Indian Tribe that believes itself to
be culturally affiliated with the object of cultural patrimony should
contact Dr. Chip Colwell-Chanthaphonh, Curator of Anthropology, NAGPRA
Officer, Department of Anthropology, Denver Museum of Nature & Science,
2001 Colorado Boulevard, Denver, CO 80205, telephone (303) 370-6378,
before October 19, 2011. Repatriation of the object of cultural
patrimony to the Hoonah Indian Association, on behalf of the Gooch Hit/
Wolf House of the Kaagwaantaan Clan of Hoonah, Alaska, may proceed
after that date if no additional claimants come forward.
The Denver Museum of Nature & Science is responsible for notifying
the Hoonah Indian Association that this notice has been published.
Dated: September 14, 2011.
Sherry Hutt,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2011-23974 Filed 9-16-11; 8:45 am]
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