[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 177 (Tuesday, September 15, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47269-47270]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-22222]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Intent to Repatriate a Cultural Item: U.S. Department 
of the Interior, National Park Service, Tumacacori National Historical 
Park, Tumacacori, 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 a cultural item in the possession of the U.S. Department 
of the Interior, National Park Service, Tumacacori National Historical 
Park, Tumacacori, AZ, that meets the definition of ``sacred objects'' 
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 
superintendent, Tumacacori National Historical Park.
    At an unknown date and under unknown circumstances, a buckskin 
object was acquired by Tumacacori National Historical Park. Originally 
identified as a buckskin ``shield'', the item was described as 
``possibly a removable cover for a raw hide shield. Feathers are eagle 
and red-tail hawk, attached to the black satin ribbon sewn to upper 
third perimeter, hanging streamer on both sides. Buckskin is painted in 
yellow, black, blue, on both sides. Buckskin around frame sewn w/
buckskin, feathers also sewn with buckskin. Other sewing w/ heavy 
commercial thread.''
    Consultation between Tumacacori National Historical Park and the 
Mescalero Apache Tribe of the Mescalero Reservation, New Mexico, 
indicates that the object is not a shield, but rather a sacred object 
that is used in traditional prayer ceremonies. The design and style of 
manufacture indicate the object is Mescalero Apache in origin. Such an 
object would be manufactured for a specific ceremony, which usually is 
held annually. Typically four such objects were manufactured at the 
same time and, as part of a prayer or blessing ceremony, placed outside 
in the four directional corners of an area that would be a homeland to 
a group of Mescalero Apaches.
    Officials of Tumacacori National Historical Park have determined 
that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (3)(C), the cultural item described 
above is a specific ceremonial object needed by traditional Native 
American religious leaders for the practice of traditional Native 
American religions by their present-day adherents. Officials of 
Tumacacori National Historical Park 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 object and the 
Mescalero Apache Tribe of the Mescalero Reservation, New Mexico.
    Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to 
be culturally affiliated with the sacred object should contact Lisa 
Carrico, superintendent, Tumacacori National Historical Park, P.O. Box 
8067, Tumacacori, AZ 85648, telephone (520) 398-2341 Ext. 52, before 
October 15, 2009. Repatriation of

[[Page 47270]]

the sacred object to the Mescalero Apache Tribe of the Mescalero 
Reservation, New Mexico may proceed after that date if no additional 
claimants come forward.
    Tumacacori National Historical Park is responsible for notifying 
the Mescalero Apache Tribe of the Mescalero Reservation, New Mexico 
that this notice has been published.

    Dated: July 22, 2009
Sherry Hutt,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. E9-22222 Filed 9-14-09; 8:45 am]
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