[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 181 (Monday, September 19, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58032-58033]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-23974]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[2253-665]


Notice of Intent To Repatriate a Cultural Item: Denver Museum of 
Nature and Science, Denver, CO

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Denver Museum of Nature & Science, in consultation with 
the appropriate Indian Tribe, has determined that a cultural item meets 
the definition of an object of cultural patrimony and that repatriation 
to the Indian Tribe stated below may occur if no additional claimants 
come forward. Representatives of any Indian Tribe that

[[Page 58033]]

believes itself to be culturally affiliated with the cultural item may 
contact the Denver Museum of Nature & Science.

DATES: Representatives of any Indian Tribe that believes it has a 
cultural affiliation with the cultural item should contact the Denver 
Museum of Nature & Science at the address below by October 19, 2011.

ADDRESSES: Dr. Chip Colwell-Chanthaphonh, Curator of Anthropology, 
NAGPRA Officer, Department of Anthropology, Denver Museum of Nature & 
Science, 2001 Colorado Boulevard, Denver, CO 80205, telephone (303) 
370-6378.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 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 a cultural item in the 
possession of the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, Denver, CO, that 
meets the definition of an object 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 Native 
American cultural item. The National Park Service is not responsible 
for the determinations in this notice.

History and Description of the Cultural Item

    The cultural item is a wooden hat (AC.11506) in the shape of an 
eagle that is carved and painted. The hat measures 18 inches long, 14 
inches wide, and 9 inches high at the top of head. It is painted in 
bright colors, including red, white, black, yellow, orange and light 
blue. The head and tail are painted white, and the body is brown. There 
are areas on the hat that have inlaid abalone. Two rawhide strips form 
head ties. One eagle wing has been broken and repaired.
    During consultation, the Hoonah Indian Association, working on 
behalf of the Huna Tlingit Tribe, Gooch Hit/Wolf House, Kaagwaantaan 
Clan of Hoonah, Alaska, provided evidence that identifies the hat as 
Kaagwaantaan Wolf Clan, Eagle Moiety. The claim submitted by the Hoonah 
Indian Association details the Clan's claim to the hat as an object of 
cultural patrimony, which a single individual cannot alienate.
    Oral history indicates that the hat is believed to have been carved 
by Yeil naa wu/Dick Yetima of Deisheetaan Clan, Raven House, from 
Angoon. The hat then belonged to the Kaagwaantaan Wolf Clan under the 
care of Yak Kwaan/Jim Martin. At an unknown date, it passed to clan 
caretaker X ee T'lee-eesh/Robert Grant, Sr. In 1966, the hat came into 
the control of clan caretaker Robert ``Jeff'' David, Sr. After it came 
into the control of Mr. David, the hat was sold. It appears that the 
hat was sold without the consent of family or Clan, as the Clan thought 
it was lost or stolen, since there was no explanation of where it had 
gone.
    Museum records show that the hat was purchased by Francis V. and 
Mary Crane from Michael R. Johnson of the Michael R. Johnson Gallery, 
Seattle, WA, on April 1, 1975. The hat was then given by the Cranes to 
the Denver Museum of Natural History (now Denver Museum of Nature & 
Science). The description of the purchase also shows that the hat was 
carved circa 1930, and was purchased from Mr. Jeff David of Haines, AK, 
who stated that the hat was from Hoona [sic], Alaska.

Determinations Made by the Denver Museum of Nature & Science

    Officials of the Denver Museum of Nature & Science have determined 
that:
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(D), the one cultural item 
described above has ongoing historical, traditional, or cultural 
importance central to the Native American group or culture itself, 
rather than property owned by an individual.
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(2), there is a relationship of 
shared group identity that can be reasonably traced between the object 
of cultural patrimony and the Hoonah Indian Association.

Additional Requestors and Disposition

    Representatives of any other Indian Tribe that believes itself to 
be culturally affiliated with the object of cultural patrimony should 
contact Dr. Chip Colwell-Chanthaphonh, Curator of Anthropology, NAGPRA 
Officer, Department of Anthropology, Denver Museum of Nature & Science, 
2001 Colorado Boulevard, Denver, CO 80205, telephone (303) 370-6378, 
before October 19, 2011. Repatriation of the object of cultural 
patrimony to the Hoonah Indian Association, on behalf of the Gooch Hit/
Wolf House of the Kaagwaantaan Clan of Hoonah, Alaska, may proceed 
after that date if no additional claimants come forward.
    The Denver Museum of Nature & Science is responsible for notifying 
the Hoonah Indian Association that this notice has been published.

    Dated: September 14, 2011.
Sherry Hutt,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2011-23974 Filed 9-16-11; 8:45 am]
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