98-14576. Notice of Intent to Repatriate a Cultural Item from New Mexico in the Possession of the Museum of Northern Arizona, Flagstaff, AZ

[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 105 (Tuesday, June 2, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 30019]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-14576]



[[Page 30019]]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Intent to Repatriate a Cultural Item from New Mexico in 
the Possession of the Museum of Northern Arizona, Flagstaff, AZ

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

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 from New Mexico in the possession of the Museum of 
Northern Arizona which meets the definition of ``sacred object'' under 
Section 2 of the Act.
    The cultural item is a Navajo Male and Female Shooting Way Chant 
bundle.
    In 1968, this bundle was donated to the Museum of Northern Arizona 
by an individual whose name is withheld at the Museum of Northern 
Arizona's request. According to museum documentation, this individual 
had acquired this bundle sometime earlier from a ``chanter from 
Clearwater'' (near Farmington, NM).
    Museum documentation and consultation with representatives of the 
Navajo Nation clearly establish that this bundle is a product of Navajo 
culture. Representatives of the Navajo Nation have also indicated that 
this bundle is needed by traditional religious leaders for the practice 
of traditional Native American religion by their present-day adherents.
    Based on the above-mentioned information, officials of the Museum 
of Northern Arizona have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 
(d)(3), 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 Museum of Northern Arizona 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 the 
Navajo Nation.
    This notice has been sent to officials of the Navajo Nation. 
Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to be 
culturally affiliated with these objects should contact David R. 
Wilcox, NAGPRA Coordinator, Museum of Northern Arizona, 3101 North Fort 
Valley Rd., Flagstaff, AZ 86001; telephone [phone], ext. 244 
before July 2, 1998. Repatriation of this object to the Navajo Nation 
may begin after that date if no additional claimants come forward.
Dated: May 27, 1998.
Francis P. McManamon,
Departmental Consulting Archeologist,
Archeology and Ethnography.
[FR Doc. 98-14576 Filed 6-1-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-F