82 FR 51864 - Notice of Intent To Repatriate Cultural Items: New York State Museum, Albany, NY

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 215 (November 8, 2017)

The New York State Museum, 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 New York State Museum. 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 215 (Wednesday, November 8, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51864-51865]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-24230]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0024161; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]


Notice of Intent To Repatriate Cultural Items: New York State 
Museum, Albany, NY

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The New York State Museum, 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 New York State Museum. 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 New York State Museum at the 
address in this notice by December 8, 2017.

ADDRESSES: Lisa Anderson, New York State Museum, 3049 Cultural 
Education Center, Albany, NY 12230, telephone (518) 486-2020, 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 New York State Museum, Albany, NY, 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 Items

    In 1898, the New York State Museum (hereafter ``Museum'') acquired 
one cultural item from Harriet Maxwell Converse of New York City, NY. 
Museum records indicate that Converse acquired the mask from Charlie 
Adams on the Tonawanda Seneca Reservation (E-37613).
    In 1906, Arthur C. Parker, Museum ethnologist and archeologist, 
purchased one cultural item for the New York State Museum. The cultural 
item is a wooden medicine mask (E-37039). Museum records indicate the 
medicine face was obtained from an individual on the Tonawanda Seneca 
Reservation who ceremonially passed the object and its inhabiting 
spirit on to Parker's care.
    In 1918, Arthur C. Parker purchased a cultural item for the Museum 
from Mrs. Laura Doctor on the Tonawanda Seneca Reservation. The 
cultural item is a wooden medicine face (E-36869). Museum records 
indicate the medicine mask once belonged to Ely S. Parker, a prominent 
member of the Tonawanda Seneca Nation who was the uncle of Mrs. Doctor 
and the great-uncle of Arthur C. Parker. Ely S. Parker assisted Lewis 
Henry Morgan with his study of Iroquois culture, served in the Civil 
War as adjutant for General Ulysses S. Grant, and later became the 
first Native American Commissioner of Indian Affairs.
    Traditional religious leaders of the Tonawanda Band of Seneca 
(previously listed as the Tonawanda Band of Seneca Indians of New York) 
have identified these three medicine masks as being needed for the 
practice of traditional Native American religions by present-day 
adherents. Museum documentation, supported by oral evidence presented 
during consultation with members of the Haudenosaunee Standing 
Committee on Burial Rules and Regulations, indicates that these 
medicine masks are culturally affiliated with the Tonawanda Band of 
Seneca (previously listed as the Tonawanda Band of Seneca Indians of 
New York).

Determinations Made by the New York State Museum

    Officials of the New York State Museum have determined that:
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(C), the three cultural items 
described above are specific ceremonial objects 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

[[Page 51865]]

identity that can be reasonably traced between the sacred objects and 
the Tonawanda Band of Seneca (previously listed as the Tonawanda Band 
of Seneca Indians of New York).

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 Lisa Anderson, New York State Museum, 3049 
Cultural Education Center, Albany, NY 12230 telephone (518) 486-2020, 
email [email protected], by December 8, 2017. After that date, if 
no additional claimants have come forward, transfer of control of the 
sacred objects to the Tonawanda Band of Seneca (previously listed as 
the Tonawanda Band of Seneca Indians of New York) may proceed.
    The New York State Museum is responsible for notifying the Cayuga 
Nation; Oneida Nation (previously listed as the Oneida Tribe of Indians 
of Wisconsin); Oneida Nation of New York; Onondaga Nation; Saint Regis 
Mohawk Tribe (previously listed as the St. Regis Band of Mohawk Indians 
of New York); Seneca Nation of Indians (previously listed as the Seneca 
Nation of New York); Seneca-Cayuga Nation (previously listed as the 
Seneca-Cayuga Tribe of Oklahoma); Tonawanda Band of Seneca (previously 
listed as the Tonawanda Band of Seneca Indians of New York); and 
Tuscarora Nation that this notice has been published.

    Dated: September 15, 2017.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2017-24230 Filed 11-7-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-52-P