2025-01191. Notice of Intended Repatriation: Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA

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Department of the Interior

National Park Service

1. [NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0039354; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]

AGENCY:

National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, Harvard University (PMAE) intends to repatriate a certain cultural item that meets the definition of a sacred object and that has a known lineal descendant.

DATES:

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

ADDRESSES:

Deanna Byrd, Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, Harvard University, 11 Divinity Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138, 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 PMAE, 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 one cultural item has been requested for repatriation. The one sacred object is an akua hulu manu (feathered god image) of Kekuaokalani from Hawai‘i. The akua hulu manu is associated with Kekuaokalani, a chief and the nephew of Kamehameha I, who died in battle at Kuamo‘o in 1819. Sometime between 1819 and 1833, Reverend William Richards acquired the akua hulu manu and donated it to the Andover Theological Society. Alfred M. Tozzer acquired the akua hulu manu from the Andover Theological Society and donated it to the PMAE in 1937.

Determinations

The PMAE has determined that:

• The one sacred object described in this notice is a specific ceremonial object needed by a traditional Native American religious leader for present-day adherents to practice traditional Native American religion, according to the Native American traditional knowledge of a lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization.
• A known lineal descendant (name withheld per request) is connected to the cultural item described in this notice.

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 February 18, 2025. If competing requests for repatriation are received, the PMAE must determine the most appropriate requestor prior to repatriation. Requests for joint repatriation of the cultural item are considered a single request and not competing requests. The PMAE is responsible for sending a copy of this notice to the lineal descendant and 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 13, 2025.

Melanie O'Brien,

Manager, National NAGPRA Program.