
Federal Register / Vol. 60 No. 128 / Wednesday, July 5, 1995 /
Notices Page 35047 & 35048
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
Notice of Intent to Repatriate Native American Items in the
Possession of the Hood Museum of Art, Dartmouth College, Hanover,
NH
AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior
ACTION: Notice
_________________________________________________________________
Notice is hereby given in accordance with provisions of the
Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act of 1990
(25 U.S.C. 3001 et seq.) of the intent to repatriate cultural
items that are currently in the possession of the Hood Museum of
Art at Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, and meet the definition of
"sacred object" and "object of cultural patrimony" under 25
U.S.C. 3001.
Two items are covered by this notice. The first item, identified
by the catalog number 46.17.10084 is a 22 cm. long, hand carved
wooden cylinder with a shouldered conical point. Tied under the
shoulder with a white cotton cord are three brown and white
feathers with some red pigment added. At about the mid-point of
the cylinder are five large brown and white feathers, a miniature
red bow and two red arrows, two small shells, five small white
downy feathers, three small blue feathers, and a circular wooden
rim webbed with white cord.
The second item, 46.17.10085, is similar to the first but differs
in some of the specific details. The wooden cylinder is 44 cms
long, has a shouldered tip, and there are four downy feathers and
two small blue ones attached at the mid-point.
Both items were collected in 1903 at the Zuni Pueblo by Frank and
Clara Churchill. Frank Churchill was a Special Federal Inspector
of Indian Schools who bequeathed his collection to Dartmouth
College in 1946.
After reviewing the written and photographic documentation
provided by the museum, the Zuni Cultural Advisory Team, made up
of traditional religious leaders, identified both items as prayer
sticks. The Team determined that the items described above are
culturally affiliated with the Zuni Tribe and they are to be
associated with the Ahayu:da or Twin Gods. The Team indicated
that if they are not in their rightful shrine home on the Zuni
Reservation, they have been illegally removed. Pursuant to 25
U.S.C. 3005 the Governor of the Pueblo of Zuni, on behalf of the
religious leaders and Tribal Council, has formally requested the
repatriation of the two prayer sticks described above.
Based on the above mentioned information, officials of the Hood
Museum 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 prayer sticks and the Pueblo of
Zuni. Officials of the Hood Museum have also determined that the
prayer sticks meet the definition of sacred object pursuant to 25
U.S.C. 3001 (3)(C). The Hood Museum of Art has no objection to
this request.
Authorities of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service have
been contacted regarding applicability of Federal endangered
species statutes to this transfer and have concurred in the
conclusion that the objects are not covered due to their age.
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 prayer sticks should contact
Kellen G. Haak, Registrar and Repatriation Coordinator, Hood
Museum of Art, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755, telephone
(603) 646-3109 before August 4, 1995. Repatriation of these
prayer sticks to the Pueblo of Zuni may begin after that date if
no additional claimants come forward.
Dated: June 29, 1995
Veletta Canouts
Acting Departmental Consulting Archeologist and
Acting Chief, Archeological Assistance Division
[FR Doc. 95-16402 ; Filed 7-3-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-F
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