Federal Register / Vol. 60 No. 87 / Friday, May 5, 1995 /
Notices Page 22405
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
Notice of Intent to Repatriate Cultural Items in the Possession
of The Maxwell Museum of Anthropology, University of New Mexico
AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior
ACTION: Notice
_________________________________________________________________
Notice is hereby given under the Native American Graves
Protection and Repatriation Act of 1990 of the intent to
repatriate a cultural item in the possession of The Maxwell
Museum of Anthropology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque New
Mexico, that meets the definitions of "object of cultural
patrimony" and "sacred object" under section 2 of the act.
The object is a mask made of red cotton canvas and hide with a
leather beak and eye circles, four fertility balls, one pointed
appendage on top, and two faint black lines across the face. The
mask is thought to date to between 1900 and 1930. The item was
acquired by the Museum from Don Woodard of Woodard Trading Post
on March 27, 1965 and was given the accession number 65.29.1.
Authorized representatives of the Hopi Tribe acting on behalf of
the Katsina Society Priest and a representative of the Katsina
Clan of Walpi Village have identified the mask as a Mudhead
(Koyemsi Katsina). They have identified the mask as having
ongoing importance central to the Hopi tribe as a whole and which
could not have been alienated, appropriated, or conveyed by any
individual. They have also stated that the living mask is
needed by traditional Hopi religious leaders for the practice of
traditional Hopi religion by present day adherents. The Hopi
tribe requested repatriation of the living mask (Koyemsi Katsina)
in a letter dated March 31, 1995.
Based on the above mentioned information, officials of The
Maxwell Museum of Anthropology have determined that, pursuant to
25 U.S.C. 3001 (2), there is a relationship of shared group
identity which can be reasonably traced between the mudhead mask
and the Hopi Tribe. Officials of The Maxwell Museum of
Anthropology have also determined that the mudhead mask meets the
definition of object of cultural patrimony pursuant to 25 U.S.C.
3001 2.(3)(D). Officials of The Maxwell Museum of Anthropology
have also determined that the mudhead mask meets the definition
of Sacred Object pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 2.(3)(C).
The Maxwell Museum's Director and Curatorial committee and the
University of New Mexico officials have approved the repatriation
of the Mudhead Mask to the Hopi Tribe.
This notice has been sent to officials of the Hopi Tribe.
Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to
be culturally affiliated with this object should contact Dr.
Garth Bawden, Museum Director or Brenda Dorr, NAGPRA Project
Director at the Maxwell Museum of Anthropology, University of New
Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131-1201, telephone: (505) 277-
0195, before June 5, 1995. Repatriation of the to the Hopi
Tribe can begin after that date if no additional claimants come
forward.
Dated: May 2, 1995
C. Timothy McKeown
Acting, Departmental Consulting Archeologist
Acting Chief, Archeological Assistance Division
[FR Doc. 95-11158 Filed 5/4/95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-F
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