Notice of Intent to Repatriate a Cultural Item in the Possession of the American Museum of Natural History of New York, NY

[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 132 (Monday, July 12, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 37567]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-17659]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Intent to Repatriate a Cultural Item in the Possession 
of the American Museum of Natural History of New York, NY

AGENCY: National Park Service

ACTION: Notice

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    Notice is hereby given under the Native American Graves Protection 
and Repatriation Act, 43 CFR 10.10 (a)(3), of the intent to repatriate 
a cultural item in the possession of the American Museum of Natural 
History which meets the definition of ``object of cultural patrimony'' 
under Section 2 of the Act.
    The cultural item is a wooden canoe prow piece carved in the shape 
of a beaver. It is painted red with black and blue-green detailing and 
it has abalone teeth and eyes. Representatives of Kootznoowoo, 
Incorporated, identified this prow piece as belonging to the one canoe 
that survived the U.S. Navy's shelling of Angoon in 1882.
    In 1911, the American Museum of Natural History purchased this prow 
piece from George Thornton Emmons. The Museum accessioned the item into 
its collection the same year (AMNH Accession Number 1911-7).
    The cultural affiliation of this item is Hutsnuwu (``Hootz-ah-tar'' 
) Tlingit as indicated through Museum records and consultation with 
representatives of Kootznoowoo, Incorporated. Kootznoowoo, 
Incorporated, had requested the object on behalf of the Deisheetaan 
Clan. Consultation evidence presented by representatives of 
Kootznoowoo, Incorporated, indicates that this item has ongoing 
historical, traditional, and cultural importance central to the tribe 
itself, and no individual had the right to alienate it at the time of 
acquisition.
    Based on the above-mentioned information, officials of the American 
Museum of Natural History have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 
(d)(4), 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. Officials 
of the American Museum of Natural History have also determined that, 
pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (e), there is a relationship of shared group 
identity which can be reasonably traced between this item and 
Kootznoowoo, Incorporated.
    This notice has been sent to officials of Kootznoowoo, 
Incorporated, and the Angoon Community Association. Representatives of 
any other Indian tribe that believes itself to be culturally affiliated 
with this object should contact Martha Graham, Registrar for Cultural 
Resources, Department of Anthropology, American Museum of Natural 
History, Central Park West at 79th Street, New York, NY 10024-5192, 
telephone (212) 769-5846, before August 11, 1999. Repatriation of this 
object to Kootznoowoo, Incorporated, may begin after that date if no 
additional claimants come forward.
    The National Park Service is not responsible for the contents of or 
determinations within this notice.
Dated: July 2, 1999.
Francis P. McManamon,
Departmental Consulting Archeologist,
Manager, Archeology and Ethnography Program.
[FR Doc. 99-17659 Filed 7-9-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-F