[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 245 (Monday, December 22, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Page 76368]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-29892]



[[Page 76368]]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-17131; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]


Notice of Intent to Repatriate Cultural Items: Southern Oregon 
Historical Society, Medford, OR

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Southern Oregon Historical Society 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 unassociated funerary 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 Southern Oregon Historical 
Society. 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 Southern Oregon Historical 
Society at the address in this notice by January 21, 2015.

ADDRESS: Tina Reuwsaat, Assoc. Curator, Southern Oregon Historical 
Society, 106 N. Central Ave., Medford, OR 97501, telephone (541) 941-
6505, 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 Southern Oregon Historical Society that meet the 
definition of unassociated funerary 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

    On July 25, 1950, Leon Haskins donated one item to the Southern 
Oregon Historical Society (SOHS). It is not known how or when Mr. 
Haskins acquired this item. SOHS accession number 704 is one string of 
83 pinyon pine nut shells. These pinyon pine nut shells are dark gray 
in color and are strung on a cord. Records state that these ``beads 
were from Klamath, not to be confused with Klamath Falls, as Klamath is 
at the mouth of the Klamath River.''
    On February 26, 1962, Helen Strang donated two lots of loose beads 
to SOHS. The beads were collected by Vinton Beall, a relative of Ms. 
Strang, but there is no documentation of when these beads were 
acquired. SOHS accession number 1962.6.7.2 is one lot of loose beads 
made from glass and one lot of loose beads made from shells. The one 
lot of glass beads are of many colors: Blue, white, purple, green, and 
pink. The one lot of shell beads are six white, thin, disk-shaped shell 
beads. Some of the beads have a melted appearance and are fused 
together. Records contain an original handwritten note that states, 
``August (18)96. Beads from Klamath Indian crematory grounds on Pelican 
Bay.''
    On October 14, 1951, Clarence Lane donated two items to SOHS. It is 
not known when Mr. Lane acquired these two items. SOHS accession 
numbers 3010.1 and .2 are two necklaces. The first necklace is 35 
inches in length and is strung on wire. The necklace is made from one 
dentalium shell, three olivella shells, ten pinyon pine nut shells and 
glass beads in the colors of blue, green, black, red, turquoise, and 
colorless, one bead in gray with red stripe and one black tubular 
shaped bead with brass ends. The second necklace is 15.75 inches in 
length and strung on wire and twine. The necklace is made from glass 
beads in the colors of: Blue, red, white, black, and green, 28 pinyon 
pine nut shells, three olivella shells, one silver colored metallic 
bead, one brass button with red glass center and one metal thimble. 
Records state that these are ``two strings dug up from Indian grave.''
    Representatives of the Smith River Rancheria, California, have 
requested repatriation of these items. Based on the information 
available and consultation with the tribe, these items were removed 
from within the traditional tribal territory of the Smith River 
Rancheria, California, and are determined to be unassociated funerary 
objects.

Determinations Made by the Southern Oregon Historical Society

    Officials of the Southern Oregon Historical Society have determined 
that:
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(B), the five cultural items 
described above are reasonably believed to have been placed with or 
near individual human remains at the time of death or later as part of 
the death rite or ceremony and are believed, by a preponderance of the 
evidence, to have been removed from a specific burial site of a Native 
American individual.
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(2), there is a relationship of 
shared group identity that can be reasonably traced between the 
unassociated funerary objects and the Smith River Rancheria, 
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 Tina Reuwsaat, Assoc. Curator, Southern 
Oregon Historical Society, 106 N. Central Ave., Medford, OR 97501, 
telephone (541) 941-6505, email [email protected], by January 21, 2015. 
After that date, if no additional claimants have come forward, transfer 
of control of the unassociated funerary objects to the Smith River 
Rancheria, California, may proceed.
    The Southern Oregon Historical Society is responsible for notifying 
the Smith River Rancheria, California, that this notice has been 
published.

    Dated: November 5, 2014.
Melanie O'Brien,
Acting Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2014-29892 Filed 12-19-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-50-P