83 FR 4262 - Notice of Intent To Repatriate Cultural Items: Thomas Gilcrease Institute of American History and Art, Tulsa, OK

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 20 (January 30, 2018)

The Thomas Gilcrease Institute of American History and Art (Gilcrease Museum), in consultation with the appropriate Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations, has determined that the cultural item listed in this notice meets the definition of a sacred object and object of cultural patrimony. 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 Gilcrease 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.

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 20 (Tuesday, January 30, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4262-4263]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-01712]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0024526; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]


Notice of Intent To Repatriate Cultural Items: Thomas Gilcrease 
Institute of American History and Art, Tulsa, OK

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Thomas Gilcrease Institute of American History and Art 
(Gilcrease Museum), in consultation with the appropriate Indian Tribes 
or Native Hawaiian organizations, has determined that the cultural item 
listed in this notice meets the definition of a sacred object and 
object of cultural patrimony. Lineal descendants or

[[Page 4263]]

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 Gilcrease 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 this cultural item should submit a written request with 
information in support of the claim to the Gilcrease Museum at the 
address in this notice by March 1, 2018.

ADDRESSES: Laura Bryant, Anthropology Collections Manager, Thomas 
Gilcrease Institute of American History and Art, 1400 North Gilcrease 
Museum Road, Tulsa, OK 74127, telephone (918) 596-2747, 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 Gilcrease Museum that meets the definition of a sacred 
object and object of 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 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 the early to mid-1900s, one cultural item was removed from an 
unknown location, likely in Alaska, and was purchased by Thomas 
Gilcrease, whose collection founded the Gilcrease Museum. The exact 
circumstances of how the purchase was made, including whether a dealer 
or gallery was involved, are unknown. The one sacred object and object 
of cultural patrimony is a Chilkat robe made from mountain goat wool 
and cedar bark and depicting a Killer Whale crest, which the Central 
Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes identified as belonging 
to the Dak'laweidi Clan.
    During consultation, representatives of the Central Council of the 
Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes stated that Dak'laweidi Clan property 
cannot be transferred, conveyed, or alienated unless all members of the 
Clan agree, and therefore, no one individual had the legal right to 
alienate the Killer Whale Chilkat robe. They also stated that Killer 
Whale Chilkat robes also are contemporarily worn at traditional 
ceremonies and potlatches, and play an important role in funerary 
rites. This usage was confirmed by the Kootznoowoo Cultural and 
Educational Foundation and independent scholars. The Dak'laweidi Clan 
provided photographic evidence of an identical Killer Whale Chilkat 
robe being worn by Mr. Mark Jacobs, Sr., and of Mr. Frank Paul, Sr., 
dancing in a similar Chilkat robe and a Killer Whale hat.

Determinations Made by the Gilcrease Museum

    Officials of the Gilcrease Museum have determined that:
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(C), the one 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(3)(D), the one cultural item 
described above has ongoing historical, traditional, or cultural 
importance central to the Native American group or culture itself, 
rather than property owned by an individual.
     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 object of cultural patrimony and the Central Council of the 
Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes.

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 Laura Bryant, Gilcrease Museum, 1400 North 
Gilcrease Museum Road, Tulsa, OK 74127, telephone (918) 596-2747, email 
[email protected], by March 1, 2018. After that date, if no 
additional claimants have come forward, transfer of control of the 
sacred object and object of cultural patrimony to the Central Council 
of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes may proceed.
    The Gilcrease Museum is responsible for notifying the Central 
Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes that this notice has 
been published.

    Dated: October 23, 2017.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.

    Editorial Note:  The Office of the Federal Register received 
this notice on January 25, 2018.

[FR Doc. 2018-01712 Filed 1-29-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4312-52-P