[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 73 (Wednesday, April 16, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 18649]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-9836]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
Notice of Intent to Repatriate a Cultural Item in the Control of
the Southwest Museum, Los Angeles, CA
AGENCY: National Park Service
ACTION: Notice
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Notice is hereby given under the Native American Graves Protection
and Repatriation Act, 25 U.S.C. 3005 (a)(2), of the intent to
repatriate a cultural item in the control of the Southwest Museum, Los
Angeles, CA, which meets the definition of ``sacred object'' and
``object of cultural patrimony'' under Section 2 of the Act.
The cultural item is a carved wooden figure standing 32-1/4 inches
tall.
At an unknown date, this figure was purchased from an unknown
source by the Southwest Museum. Accession records indicate this figure
was ``probably'' removed from a cave shrine near Thunder Mountain, NM.
There is no other information regarding the purchase or original
acquisition of this figure.
Consultation with representatives of the Pueblo of Zuni indicates
this figure is a Ahaya:da, or Zuni War God. Representatives of the
Pueblo of Zuni state that this Ahaya:da is needed by Zuni traditional
religious leaders for the practice of traditional Zuni religion by
present-day adherents. Representatives of the Pueblo of Zuni also state
that this Ahaya:da has ongoing historical, traditional, and cultural
importance central to the Pueblo of Zuni, and could not have been
alienated by any individual.
Based on the above-mentioned information, officials of the
Southwest Museum have determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001
(3)(C), this cultural item 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.
Officials of the Southwest Museum have also determined that, pursuant
to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (3)(D), this cultural item has ongoing historical,
traditional, and cultural importance central to the culture itself, and
could not have been alienated, appropriated, or conveyed by any
individual. Finally, officials of the Southwest Museum have also
determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (2), there is a
relationship of shared group identity which can be reasonably traced
between these items and the Pueblo of Zuni.
This notice has been sent to officials of the Pueblo of Zuni.
Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to be
culturally affiliated with these objects should contact Dr. Kathleen
Whitaker, Chief Curator, Southwest Museum, P.O. Box 41558, Los Angeles,
CA 19941-0558; telephone (213) 221-2164 before May 16, 1997.
Repatriation of these objects to the Pueblo of Zuni may begin after
that date if no additional claimants come forward.
Dated: April 9, 1997.
Francis P. McManamon,
Departmental Consulting Archeologist, Manager, Archeology and
Ethnography Program.
[FR Doc. 97-9836 Filed 4-15-97 ; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-F
