[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 47 (Thursday, March 11, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Page 11554]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-5167]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Intent to Repatriate Cultural Items: Museum of Northern 
Arizona, Flagstaff, AZ

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 Museum of 
Northern Arizona, Flagstaff, AZ, 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.
    In January and September 2000, cultural items were gifted to the 
Museum of Northern Arizona by a private donor. The cultural items are 
Navajo sandpainting drawings and water color/pencil drawings, and are 
divided into three collections.
    The first collection was originally collected by an old trading 
post family in the area of Farmington, NM. The 29 cultural items are 4 
watercolors of sacred Navajo Yei figures and deities; 22 water colors 
and/or pencil drawings depicting Navajo ceremonial sandpaintings from 
specific chants; and 3 pages of hand written notes describing the 
Feather Way and Big Star Way ceremonies.
    The second collection, by Ray Winnie, Lukachukai, AZ, circa 1920s, 
depicts a sacred Navajo ceremonial sandpainting. Mr. Winnie was a 
Singer of the Shooting Way ceremony. The one cultural item is a colored 
pencil drawing on brown paper.
    The third collection, by Ray Winnie, Lukachukai, AZ, circa 1920s, 
depicts sacred Navajo ceremonial sandpaintings. Mr. Winnie was a Singer 
of the Shooting Way ceremony. The six cultural items consist of one 
notebook with pencil and crayon drawings, four color pencil drawings, 
and one muslin watercolor depicting Navajo ceremonies.
    A traditional practitioner of Navajo religious ceremonies 
determined the images presented were of sacred esoteric knowledge with 
specific ceremonial properties that continue to be used by traditional 
Navajo religious practitioners. Based on the sacred esoteric knowledge 
of the images, the paintings could not have been obtained voluntarily 
nor could they have been alienated by a single individual, and instead 
belong to the tribe as a whole.
    Officials of the Museum of Northern Arizona have determined that, 
pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (3)(C), the 36 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 
Museum of Northern Arizona also have determined that, pursuant to 25 
U.S.C. 3001 (3)(D), the 36 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 Museum of Northern Arizona 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 Navajo 
Nation, Arizona, New Mexico & Utah.
    Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to 
be culturally affiliated with the sacred objects/objects of cultural 
patrimony should contact Elaine Hughes, NAGPRA Contact, Museum of 
Northern Arizona, 3101 N. Ft. Valley Road, Flagstaff, AZ 86004, 
telephone (928) 774-5211, ext. 270, before April 12, 2010. Repatriation 
of the sacred objects/objects of cultural patrimony to the Navajo 
Nation, Arizona, New Mexico & Utah may proceed after that date if no 
additional claimants come forward.
    The Museum of Northern Arizona is responsible for notifying the 
Navajo Nation, Arizona, New Mexico & Utah that this notice has been 
published.

    Dated: December 10, 2010
Richard C. Waldbauer,
Acting Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2010-5167 Filed 3-10-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-50-S