FR Doc 2010-6573[Federal Register: March 25, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 57)]
[Notices]               
[Page 14459-14460]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr25mr10-80]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service
 
Notice of Intent to Repatriate Cultural Items: Western Reserve 
Historical Society, Cleveland, OH

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.
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    Notice is here given in accordance with the Native American Graves 
Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), 25 U.S.C. 3005, of the intent 
to repatriate cultural items in the possession of the Western Reserve 
Historical Society, Cleveland, OH, that meet the definitions of 
"sacred objects" and "objects of cultural patrimony" under 25 
U.S.C. 3001.
    This notice is published as part of the National Park Service's 
administrative responsibilities under NAGPRA, 25 U.S.C. 3003 (d)(3). 
The determinations in this notice are the sole responsibility of the 
museum, institution, or Federal agency that has control of the cultural 
items. The National Park Service is not responsible for the 
determinations in this notice.
    The three cultural items are a Double bladed dagger (Accession 
42.1241); Chilkat blanket (No number); and Raven rattle (No number).
    In 1867, the Western Reserve Historical Society was founded. 
Starting in 1894, book numbers were assigned consecutively to objects. 
In 1940, this practice was terminated, as the records for accessions 
were scant or non-existent. From 1940-1943, a large-scale inventory of 
the Society's holdings was conducted and accession numbers were 
assigned to those objects with no prior book number or provenience. 
Although the Double bladed dagger has an accession number, it has no 
provenience information and the catalog card has only a physical 
description. Furthermore, the Chilkat blanket and Raven rattle were 
overlooked in the 1940 inventory process, and do not have accession 
numbers nor provenience information. All objects did not have a 
cultural affiliation listed.
    Collaboration with the Cleveland Museum of Natural History aided in 
the possible cultural affiliation of the objects with the Tlingit and 
Haida. Photographs of the items and copies of catalog records were sent 
to various Alaskan Indian organizations for identification. The Central 
Council of the Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes further identified the 
Double bladed dagger as "Shak[aacute]ts:, the Chilkat blanket as 
"Naaxein", and the Raven rattle as "Y[eacute]il Sheishoox." Based 
on consultation the museum reasonably believes these cultural items are 
culturally affiliated with the Tlingit. Furthermore, the museum was 
also informed during consultation that the objects are considered to be 
both sacred and objects of cultural patrimony.
    Officials of the Western Reserve Historical Society have determined 
that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (3)(C), the three cultural items 
described above are specific ceremonial objects needed by traditional 
Native American religious leaders for the practice of traditional 
Native American religions by their present-day adherents. Officials of 
the Western Reserve Historical Society also have determined that, 
pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (3)(D), the three cultural items described 
above have ongoing historical, traditional, or cultural importance 
central to the Native American group or culture itself, rather than 
property owned by an individual. Lastly, officials of the Western 
Reserve Historical Society also have determined that, pursuant to 25 
U.S.C. 3001 (2), there is a relationship of shared group identity that 
can be reasonably traced between the sacred objects/objects of cultural 
patrimony and the Central Council of the Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes.
    Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to 
be culturally affiliated with the sacred objects/objects of cultural 
patrimony should contact Danielle R. Peck, Senior Registrar, Western 
Reserve Historical Society, 10825 E. Blvd., Cleveland, OH 44106, 
telephone (216) 721-5722, ext. 262, before April 26, 2010. Repatriation 
of the sacred objects/objects of cultural patrimony to the Central 
Council of the Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes may proceed after that 
date if no additional claimants come forward.
    The Western Reserve Historical Society is responsible for notifying 
the Central Council of the Tlingit & Haida

[[Page 14460]]

Indian Tribes that this notice has been published.

    Dated: March 8, 2010
Sherry Hutt,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2010-6573 Filed 3-24-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-50-S