82 FR 12833 - Notice of Intent To Repatriate Cultural Items: Denver Museum of Nature & Science, Denver, CO

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 43 (March 7, 2017)

The Denver Museum of Nature & Science, Denver, CO, 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 sacred 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 Denver Museum of Nature & Science, Denver, CO. 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.

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 43 (Tuesday, March 7, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12833-12834]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-04404]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-22871; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]


Notice of Intent To Repatriate Cultural Items: Denver Museum of 
Nature & Science, Denver, CO

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Denver Museum of Nature & Science, Denver, CO, 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 sacred 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 Denver Museum of Nature & 
Science, Denver, CO. 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 Denver Museum of Nature & 
Science, Denver, CO, at the address in this notice by April 6, 2017.

ADDRESSES: Chip Colwell, Senior Curator of Anthropology and NAGPRA 
Officer, Denver Museum of Nature & Science, 2001 Colorado Boulevard, 
Denver, CO 80205, telephone (303) 370-6378, 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 Denver Museum of Nature & Science, Denver, CO that meet 
the definition of sacred 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 Item

    At an unknown date, one cultural item was removed from an unknown 
location. Museum records show that the cultural item was obtained by 
Monrow P. Killy from Charlie Day, a tribal member at the Nett Lake 
Indian Reservation, also known as the Bois Forte Indian Reservation. 
Killy was a photographer and electrician who wrote extensively for 
Minnesota Archaeologist regarding the traditions of the Sioux and

[[Page 12834]]

Ojibwe. The cultural item was subsequently purchased by a collector 
named Jonathan Holstein, who sold it to Mary and Francis Crane on 
August 9, 1978. The Cranes then donated it to the Denver Museum of 
Nature & Science on May 27, 1983. The one cultural item, a dream symbol 
(AC.11657), is a sacred object related to dreams that could be used in 
the Grand Medicine Society or Midewiwin, a ritual society.
    Museum accession, catalogue, and documentary records, as well as 
consultation with a representative of the Bois Forte Band (Nett Lake) 
of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe, Minnesota, indicate that the one 
cultural item is Ojibwe and is from the Bois Forte Indian Reservation, 
Minnesota.

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)(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 one 
cultural item and the Bois Forte Band (Nett Lake) of the Minnesota 
Chippewa Tribe, Minnesota.

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 Chip Colwell, Senior Curator of Anthropology 
and NAGPRA Officer, Denver Museum of Nature & Science, 2001 Colorado 
Boulevard, Denver, CO 80205, telephone (303) 370-6378, email 
[email protected], by April 6, 2017. After that date, if no 
additional claimants have come forward, transfer of control of the 
cultural item to the Bois Forte Band (Nett Lake) of the Minnesota 
Chippewa Tribe, Minnesota may proceed.
    The Denver Museum of Nature & Science is responsible for notifying 
the Bois Forte Band (Nett Lake) of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe, 
Minnesota that this notice has been published.

    Dated: February 6, 2017.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2017-04404 Filed 3-6-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4312-52-P