SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

This notice is published as part of the National Park Service's administrative responsibilities under NAGPRA. The determinations in this notice are the sole responsibility of The Children's Museum of Indianapolis and additional information on the determinations in this notice, including the results of consultation, can be found in the summary or related records. The National Park Service is not responsible for the determinations in this notice. ( printed page 23550)

Abstract of Information Available

A total of one cultural item has been requested for repatriation. The one object of cultural patrimony is a quill stitched buffalo robe (52.376.103) belonging to the Women's Quill Society of the Arapaho. The robe was donated to the museum in 1952 by Margaret Morehouse. The buffalo robe holds significant historical and cultural importance within the Arapaho community, and these items are of immense spiritual value. Porcupine quills hold profound cultural and spiritual significance for the Arapaho people. They were traditionally used for clothing, blankets, teepees, and other essential items. The Arapaho Quill Women's Society, composed of seven elderly women, each possessed a sacred quill-working bag. The quill stitch designs they created were closely tied to the Arapaho spiritual beliefs and traditions. It was understood that one could not simply create quill stitch patterns independently or devise new designs without sacred guidance.

Determinations

The Children's Museum of Indianapolis has determined that:

• The one object of cultural patrimony described in this notice has ongoing historical, traditional, or cultural importance central to the Northern Arapaho Tribe of the Wind River Reservation, Wyoming, according to the Northern Arapaho Tribe of the Wind River Reservation, Wyoming traditional knowledge.
• There is a reasonable connection between the cultural item described in this notice and the Northern Arapaho Tribe of the Wind River Reservation, Wyoming.

Requests for Repatriation

Additional, written requests for repatriation of the cultural item in this notice must be sent to the authorized representative identified in this notice under ADDRESSES . Requests for repatriation may be submitted by any lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization not identified in this notice who shows, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the requestor is a lineal descendant or a culturally affiliated Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization.

Repatriation of the cultural item in this notice to a requestor may occur on or after July 3, 2025. If competing requests for repatriation are received, The Children's Museum of Indianapolis must determine the most appropriate requestor prior to repatriation. Requests for joint repatriation of the cultural items are considered a single request and not competing requests. The Children's Museum of Indianapolis is responsible for sending a copy of this notice to the Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations identified in this notice and to any other consulting parties.

Authority: Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, 25 U.S.C. 3004 and the implementing regulations, 43 CFR 10.9.

90 FR 23549