96-14408. Notice of Intent to Repatriate a Cultural Item in the Possession of the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art, Indianapolis, IN

[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 111 (Friday, June 7, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 29132]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-14408]



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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Notice of Intent to Repatriate a Cultural Item in the Possession 
of the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art, 
Indianapolis, IN

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 possession of the Eiteljorg Museum of American 
Indians and Western Art which meets the definition of ``cultural 
patrimony'' under Section 2 of the Act.
    The cultural item is a Tlingit clan hat. This red, green, and black 
painted cedar hat is topped with a carved Murrelet bird with wings of 
human hair.
    The Eiteljorg Museum's accession records indicate this hat was 
acquired by Mr. Harrison Eiteljorg from an unconfirmed source no later 
than 1982; and donated to the Eiteljorg Museum in 1987. This hat is 
presumed to have been alienated from the community during the 1970s or 
early 1980s.
    Consultation evidence indicates the Murrelet on this hat serves as 
a crest symbol for the Brown Bear House of the Kaagwaantaan Clan of 
Tlingit Indians. According to Tlingit law, crests are the property of 
the clan and not of any specific individual. Representatives of the 
Chilkoot Indian Association on behalf of the Brown Bear House of the 
Kaagwaantaan Clan of Tlingit Indians have stated further that the 
Murrelet crest has been used during the historic period by the Brown 
Bear House in care of appointed trustees who cannot make independent 
decisions regarding the alienation of clan property.
    Based on the above-mentioned information, officials of the 
Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art have determined 
that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (3)(D), these cultural items have 
ongoing historical, traditional, and cultural importance central to the 
culture itself, and could not have been alienated, appropriated, or 
conveyed by any individual. Officials of the Eiteljorg Museum of 
American Indians and Western Art 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 Brown Bear 
House of the Kaagwaantaan Clan of Tlingit Indians.
    This notice has been sent to officials of the Chilkoot Indian 
Association acting on behalf of the Brown Bear House of the 
Kaagwaantaan Clan of Tlingit Indians. Representatives of any other 
Indian tribe that believes itself to be culturally affiliated with 
these objects should contact Robert B. Tucker, Eiteljorg Museum of 
American Indians and Western Art, 500 West Washington St., 
Indianapolis, IN 46204, telephone [phone] before [thirty days 
following publication in the Federal Register]. Repatriation of these 
objects to the Chilkoot Indian Association representing the interests 
of the Brown Bear House of the Kaagwaantaan Clan of the Tlingit Indians 
may begin after that date if no additional claimants come forward.
Dated: June 3, 1996.

    Veletta Canouts,
Acting Departmental Consulting Archeologist,
Deputy Chief, Archeology and Ethnography Program.
[FR Doc. 96-14408 Filed 6-6-96; 8:45 am]
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