2025-01190. Notice of Intended Repatriation: St. Joseph Museums, Inc., St. Joseph, MO

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Department of the Interior

National Park Service

1. [NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0039331; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]

AGENCY:

National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the St. Joseph Museums, Inc. intends to repatriate certain cultural items that meet the definition of sacred objects and objects of cultural patrimony and that have a cultural affiliation with the Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations in this notice.

DATES:

Repatriation of the cultural items in this notice may occur on or after February 18, 2025.

ADDRESSES:

Tori Zieger, St. Joseph Museums, Inc., 3406 Frederick Avenue, St. Joseph, MO 64506, telephone [phone], email [e-mail].

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 St. Joseph Museums, Inc. 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.

Abstract of Information Available

A total of 67 cultural items have been requested for repatriation. The 67 objects of cultural patrimony/sacred objects were donated to the St. Joseph Museums by three collectors: Harry L. George, Carol Getty, and Mrs. L.T. Golding. Harry L. George was actively collecting Indigenous objects during the years of 1904-1922, mostly through purchasing from other dealers and occasionally through direct purchases from tribes when on personal trips. The Harry L. George Collection was donated to the St. Joseph Museums, Inc. in 1944. The sacred objects/objects of cultural patrimony from the Harry L. George collection include five necklaces, one pair of earrings, one otter skin case, 16 weapons, one basket, three bags, five rattles, one wand, three bowls, two spoons, one knife, one needle, one item identified as a “shot maker”, one pipe stem, one life stick, one buffalo hide quiver with arrows, six objects of applique or beaded work, one flute, one drum staff, one drum, two metal armbands, one metal badge, one scalp bag, two animal skulls, and one sacred bundle with one associated figure that was previously separated. The buffalo hide quiver has previously been treated with arsenic, as noted in written communication between Harry L. George and the original seller of the object. The Getty Collection was donated to the St. Joseph Museums, Inc. in 2018. The sacred objects/objects of cultural patrimony from the Getty Collection include one necklace, three baskets, and one basket lid. The Mrs. L.T. Golding collection was donated to the St. Joseph Museums, Inc. in 1953. The sacred object/object of cultural patrimony from the Golding collection is one cradleboard doll.

Determinations

The St. Joseph Museums, Inc. has determined that:

• The 67 sacred objects/objects of cultural patrimony described in this notice are, according to the Native American traditional knowledge of an Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization, specific ceremonial objects needed by a traditional Native American religious leader for present-day adherents to practice traditional Native American religion, and have ongoing historical, traditional, or cultural importance central to the Native American group, including any constituent sub-group (such as a band, clan, lineage, ceremonial society, or other subdivision).
• There is a reasonable connection between the cultural items described in this notice and the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska.

Requests for Repatriation

Additional, written requests for repatriation of the cultural items 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 items in this notice to a requestor may occur on or after February 18, 2025. If competing requests for repatriation are received, the St. Joseph Museums, Inc. 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 St. Joseph Museums, Inc. 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.

Dated: January 6, 2025.

Melanie O'Brien,

Manager, National NAGPRA Program.