[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 110 (Wednesday, June 8, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36945-36946]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-13588]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-21092; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]


Notice of Intent To Repatriate Cultural Items: Catalina Island 
Museum, Avalon, CA

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Catalina Island Museum, in consultation with the 
appropriate Indian tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations, has 
determined that the cultural item listed in this notice meet the 
definition of a sacred object. Lineal descendants or representatives of 
any Indian tribe or Native Hawaiian organization not identified in this 
notice that wish to claim this cultural item should submit a written 
request to the Catalina Island Museum. If no additional claimants come 
forward, transfer of control of the cultural item 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 request to the Catalina Island Museum at 
the address in this notice by July 8, 2016.

ADDRESSES: Michael DeMarsche, Ph.D., Catalina Island Museum, 1 Casino 
Way, Casino Building, P.O. Box 366, Avalon,

[[Page 36946]]

CA 90704, telephone (310) 510-2416, 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 a cultural item under the 
control of the Catalina Island Museum, Avalon, CA, that meets the 
definition of a sacred object 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 Item

    In 1961, one cultural item was donated to the Catalina Island 
Museum by Catherine Loud as part of a set of 13 baskets, both of native 
and non-native origin, with no contextual information provided. 
Requests for information were sent out to tribes based on preliminary 
assessments of potential affiliation. Based on consultation with the 
Timbisha Shoshone, catalog number 61.484.13 was identified as a 
cremation basket and part of a living ceremonial tradition. The 
Timbisha Shoshone (aka Panamint Shoshone) are located in Death Valley, 
CA and as part of their final death rites, after cremation occurred, 
the ashes were collected and placed in a specifically designed basket. 
This basket is identified as one of them, although no human remains 
were found with the basket.

Determinations Made by the Catalina Island Museum

    Officials of the Catalina Island Museum have determined that:
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(C), the 1 cultural item 
described above is a specific ceremonial object 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 sacred 
object and the Timbisha Shoshone Tribe of Death Valley.

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 
this cultural item should submit a written request with information in 
support of the claim to Michael DeMarsche, Ph.D., Catalina Island 
Museum, 1 Casino Way, Casino Building, P.O. Box 366, Avalon, CA 90704, 
telephone (310) 510-2416, email [email protected], by July 8, 
2016. After that date, if no additional claimants have come forward, 
transfer of control of the sacred object may be to Timbisha Shoshone 
Tribe of Death Valley.
    The Catalina Island Museum is responsible for notifying the 
Timbisha Shoshone Tribe of Death Valley that this notice has been 
published.

    Dated: May 16, 2016.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2016-13588 Filed 6-7-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-50-P