[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 70 (Monday, April 12, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19233-19234]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-8170]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
Notice of Intent to Repatriate a Cultural Item: Kennedy Museum of
Art, Ohio University, Athens, OH
AGENCY: National Park Service.
ACTION: Notice.
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Notice is here given in accordance with the Native American Graves
Protection and Repatriation Act, 43 CFR 10.8 (f), of the intent to
repatriate a cultural item in the possession of the Kennedy Museum of
Art, Ohio University, Athens, OH, which meets the definitions of sacred
object and 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 within this notice are the sole responsibility of
the museum, institution, or Federal agency that has control of the
cultural item. The National Park Service is not responsible for the
determinations within this notice.
The cultural item is a Knifewing god ceremonial altar from the
Little Fire Fraternity of the Zuni Tribe. The altar, dating from the
1930s or 1940s, consists of two pieces of wood painted red,
[[Page 19234]]
yellow, blue, and black. One piece is approximately 14 inches wide, 15
inches long, and 4 inches deep; the other is 15 inches wide, 6 inches
long, and 1/2 inch deep. The altar is decorated with feathers
tentatively identified as flicker, blue jay, and eagle feathers.
The object was discovered in the museum's storage area in 2001 by
the curator, who recognized it as a Zuni altar. The Zuni Tribe of the
Zuni Reservation, New Mexico was then notified. Information provided by
Zuni tribal representatives confirms that a relationship of shared
group identity exists between the original makers of the ceremonial
altar and the Zuni Tribe of the Zuni Reservation, New Mexico. There are
no museum records or other documentation pertaining to the altar's
collection history or acquisition by the museum.
Representatives of the Zuni Tribe of the Zuni Reservation, New
Mexico indicated during consultation that the cultural item 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. Representatives of the Zuni
Tribe of the Zuni Reservation, New Mexico have also provided evidence
that this cultural item has ongoing historical, traditional, and
cultural importance central to the tribe itself, and could not have
been alienated, appropriated, or conveyed by any individual tribal or
organizational member. Evidence presented by Zuni representatives
during consultation indicates that rites of the Little Fire Fraternity
are still performed in the Zuni Tribe. Altars for the ceremonies should
only be in the possession of a member of the Little Fire Fraternity
capable of understanding the altar's use and function. In Zuni
tradition, altars can only be cared for by an individual; they are not
property that can be owned.
Officials of the Kennedy Museum of Art, Ohio University have
determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (3)(C), the 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. Officials of
the Kennedy Museum of Art, Ohio University have also determined that,
pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (3)(D), the cultural item has ongoing
historical, traditional, or cultural importance central to a Native
American group or culture itself, rather than property owned by an
individual. Lastly, officials of the Kennedy Museum of Art, Ohio
University have determined that, 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/object of cultural patrimony and the
Zuni Tribe of the Zuni Reservation, New Mexico.
Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to
be culturally affiliated with the sacred object/object of cultural
patrimony should contact Dr. Jennifer McLerran, Curator, Kennedy Museum
of Art, Ohio University, Lin Hall, Athens, OH 45701, telephone (740)
593-0952 or (749) 593-1304, facsimile (740) 593-1305, before May 12,
2004. Repatriation of this object to the Zuni Tribe of the Zuni
Reservation, New Mexico may proceed after that date if no additional
claimants come forward.
The Kennedy Museum of Art, Ohio University is responsible for
notifying the Zuni Tribe of the Zuni Reservation, New Mexico that this
notice has been published.
Dated: February 25, 2004.
John Robbins,
Assistant Director, Cultural Resources.
[FR Doc. 04-8170] Filed 4-9-04; 8:45 am]
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