2024-12079. Notice of Intended Repatriation: Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul, MN

AGENCY:

National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the Minnesota Historical Society (MNHS) intends to repatriate a certain cultural item that meets the definition of an object of cultural patrimony and that has a cultural affiliation with the Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations in this notice.

DATES:

Repatriation of the cultural item in this notice may occur on or after July 3, 2024.

ADDRESSES:

Cecily Marcus, Minnesota Historical Society, 345 West Kellogg Boulevard, Saint Paul, MN 55102, 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 Minnesota Historical Society, 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 object of cultural patrimony is a Beaver Chilkat Robe (S'igeidi Naaxein), MHS #10,000.804, held by MNHS. The item was purchased in 1946 from the Alaska Native Service, Juneau, AK, by Frederick and Elizabeth Ayer for sale at the Mille Lacs Trading Post in Mille Lacs, MN; donated to the Minnesota Historical Society by Jeanette Ayer in 1959. The robe was woven by Ms. Mary Willard (Tlingit name Aklé, of the Kaawaantaan clan, Gooch Hit (Wolf House), Klukwan) as an item for purchase.

Determinations

The Minnesota Historical Society has determined that:

• The one object of cultural patrimony described in this notice has 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), according to the Native American traditional knowledge of an Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization.
• There is a reasonable connection between the cultural item described in this notice and the Angoon Community Association and the Central Council of the Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes.

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 July 3, 2024. If competing requests for repatriation are received, the Minnesota Historical Society 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 Minnesota Historical Society 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: May 22, 2024.

Melanie O'Brien,

Manager, National NAGPRA Program.