[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 52 (Friday, March 16, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15798-15799]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-6325]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

 National Park Service

[2253-665]


Notice of Intent To Repatriate Cultural Items: San Francisco 
State University, San Francisco, CA

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The San Francisco State University, in consultation with the 
appropriate Indian tribes, has determined that the cultural items meet 
the definition of sacred objects and repatriation to the Indian tribes 
stated below may occur if no additional claimants come forward. 
Representatives of any Indian tribe that believes itself to be 
culturally affiliated with the cultural items may contact the San 
Francisco State University.

DATES: Representatives of any Indian tribe that believes it has a 
cultural affiliation with the cultural items should contact the San 
Francisco State University at the address below by April 16, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Jeffrey Boland Fentress, San Francisco State University, 
Academic Affairs-ADM 447, San Francisco, CA 94132, telephone (415) 338-
3075.

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 cultural items in the 
possession of the San

[[Page 15799]]

Francisco State University (SFSU) that meet 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 
museum, institution or Federal agency that has control of the Native 
American cultural items. The National Park Service is not responsible 
for the determinations in this notice.

History and Description of the Cultural Items

    At an unknown date, a basket (item 1-3-42/86) was donated to the 
SFSU Treganza Museum. The coiled basket with a bundle warp in a round, 
shouldered, small necked shape measures 14 cm in height and 10.5 cm in 
diameter and is made of deer grass, sedge, redbud and bracken fern 
root. There are no records at the Treganza Museum concerning 
acquisition of this item.
    Based on consultation with the Santa Rosa Indian Community of the 
Santa Rosa Rancheria, California, (Tachi Yokut Tribe) and ethnographic 
research, the basket has been identified as a stair-step coming of age 
basket. This type of basket was given to either a boy or girl by a 
female relative after completion of the coming of age ceremony. This 
type of basket often held special personal religious items such as 
crystals, beads, feathers or tobacco.
    In 1976, Margaret Molarsky donated a basket (item 1-3-42/104) to 
the SFSU Treganza Museum. The donor records state it was originally in 
the collection of Frank Latta. The coiled basket with a bundle warp in 
a flared bowl shape measures 22 cm in height with a maximum diameter of 
44 cm and is made of deer grass, saw grass, redbud and bracken fern 
root. A tag attached to the basket was labeled ``Wahnomkot, Yokuts, c. 
1925.''
    Based on consultation with the Santa Rosa Indian Community of the 
Santa Rosa Rancheria, California, (Tachi Yokut Tribe) and ethnographic 
research, the basket has been identified as a ceremonial cooking basket 
for the Yokut Spring Ceremony. The name on the basket tag, Wahnomkot, 
also known as Aida Icho, has been identified as a Wukchumne Yokut 
basket weaver. This type of basket uses a design with multiple bands of 
rattlesnakes and was used to prepare special foods and carry religious 
items.
    At an unknown date, a basket (item 1-3-42/75) was donated to the 
SFSU Treganza Museum. The coiled basket, closed stitched, with a three-
stick warp in a round, shouldered, bottle-neck shape measures 20 cm in 
height with a maximum diameter of 18 cm and is made of deer grass, 
sedge, redbud and bracken fern root. A row on the shoulder was 
decorated with dyed red wool and quail top-knot feathers. There are no 
records at the Treganza Museum concerning acquisition of this item.
    Based on consultation with the Santa Rosa Indian Community of the 
Santa Rosa Rancheria, California, (Tachi Yokut Tribe) and ethnographic 
research, the basket has been identified as a rattlesnake treasure 
basket. This type of basket held special items such as abalone pendants 
and anklets that protected the dancers during the Rattlesnake Spring 
Ceremony.
    At an unknown date, a basket (item 73-5-5) was donated to the SFSU 
Treganza Museum. The coiled basket, gap stitched, with a bundle warp in 
a flared bowl shape measures 16.5 cm in height with a maximum diameter 
of 31.6 cm and is made of deer grass and redbud. There are no records 
at the Treganza Museum concerning acquisition of this cultural item.
    Based on consultation with the Santa Rosa Indian Community of the 
Santa Rosa Rancheria, California, (Tachi Yokut Tribe) and ethnographic 
research, the basket has been identified as an offering basket that was 
filled with food offerings to be left at sacred sites and burial 
grounds.
    In 1977, Margaret Molarsky donated a basket (item 77-01-2) to the 
SFSU Treganza Museum. The coiled basket, gap stitched, with a bundle 
warp in a flared bowl shape measures 15.8 cm in height with a maximum 
diameter of 30.5 cm and is made of deer grass, sedge, redbud and 
bracken fern.
    Based on consultation with the Santa Rosa Indian Community of the 
Santa Rosa Ranc heria, California, (Tachi Yokut Tribe) and ethnographic 
research, the basket has been identified as an offering basket that was 
filled with food offerings to be left at sacred sites and burial 
grounds.
    In 1977, Margaret Molarsky donated a basket (item 77-01-3) to the 
SFSU Treganza Museum. The coiled basket, gap stitched, with a bundle 
warp in a large flared bowl shape measures 18 cm in height with a 
maximum diameter of 46.5 cm and is made of deer grass, sedge and 
redbud.
    Based on consultation with the Santa Rosa Indian Community of the 
Santa Rosa Rancheria, California (Tachi Yokut Tribe), and ethnographic 
research, the basket has been identified as a ceremonial cooking basket 
for the Yokut Spring Ceremony. This type of basket was used for 
preparing or serving special foods during ceremonies or religious 
rites.

Determinations Made by the San Francisco State University

    Officials of the San Francisco State University have determined 
that:
    <bullet> Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(C), the six 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.
    <bullet> Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(2), there is a relationship of 
shared group identity that can be reasonably traced between the six 
baskets and the Santa Rosa Indian Community of the Santa Rosa 
Rancheria, California, (Tachi Yokut Tribe).

Additional Requestors and Disposition

    Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to 
be culturally affiliated with the sacred objects should contact Jeffrey 
Boland Fentress, San Francisco State University, Academic Affairs-ADM 
447, San Francisco, CA 94132, telephone (415) 338-3075 before April 16, 
2012. Repatriation of the sacred objects to the Santa Rosa Indian 
Community of the Santa Rosa Rancheria, California, (Tachi Yokut Tribe) 
may proceed after that date if no additional claimants come forward.
    The San Francisco State University is responsible for notifying the 
Picayune Rancheria of Chukchansi Indians of California; Santa Rosa 
Indian Community of the Santa Rosa Rancheria, California, (Tachi Yokut 
Tribe); Table Mountain Rancheria of California; and the Tule River 
Indian Reservation of the Tule River Reservation, California, that this 
notice has been published.

    Dated: March 12, 2012.
Sherry Hutt,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2012-6325 Filed 3-15-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-50-P