[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 87 (Friday, May 5, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Page 22405]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-11158]



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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service


Notice of Intent To Repatriate Cultural Items in the Possession 
of The Maxwell Museum of Anthropology, University of New Mexico

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.


ACTION: Notice.

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    Act of 1990 of the intent to repatriate a cultural item in the 
possession of The Maxwell Museum of Anthropology, University of New 
Mexico, Albuquerque New Mexico, that meets the definitions of ``object 
of cultural patrimony'' and ``sacred object'' under section 2 of the 
act.
    The object is a mask made of red cotton canvas and hide with a 
leather beak and eye circles, four fertility balls, one pointed 
appendage on top, and two faint black lines across the face. The mask 
is thought to date to between 1900 and 1930. The item was acquired by 
the Museum from Don Woodard of Woodard Trading Post on March 27, 1965 
and was given the accession number 65.29.1.
    Authorized representatives of the Hopi Tribe acting on behalf of 
the Katsina Society Priest and a representative of the Katsina Clan of 
Walpi Village have identified the mask as a Mudhead (Koyemsi Katsina). 
They have identified the mask as having ongoing importance central to 
the Hopi tribe as a whole and which could not have been alienated, 
appropriated, or conveyed by any individual. They have also stated that 
the living mask is needed by traditional Hopi religious leaders for the 
practice of traditional Hopi religion by present day adherents. The 
Hopi tribe requested repatriation of the living mask (Koyemsi Katsina) 
in a letter dated March 31, 1995.
    Based on the above mentioned information, officials of The Maxwell 
Museum of Anthropology have determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 
(2), there is a relationship of shared group identity which can be 
reasonably traced between the mudhead mask and the Hopi Tribe. 
Officials of The Maxwell Museum of Anthropology have also determined 
that the mudhead mask meets the definition of object of cultural 
patrimony pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 2.(3)(D). Officials of The Maxwell 
Museum of Anthropology have also determined that the mudhead mask meets 
the definition of Sacred Object pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 2.(3)(C).
    The Maxwell Museum's Director and Curatorial committee and the 
University of New Mexico officials have approved the repatriation of 
the Mudhead Mask to the Hopi Tribe.
    This notice has been sent to officials of the Hopi Tribe. 
Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to be 
culturally affiliated with this object should contact Dr. Garth Bawden, 
Museum Director or Brenda Dorr, NAGPRA Project Director at the Maxwell 
Museum of Anthropology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New 
Mexico 87131-1201, telephone: (505) 277-0195, before June 5, 1995. 
Repatriation of the to the Hopi Tribe can begin after that date if no 
additional claimants come forward.
    Dated: May 2, 1995.
C. Timothy McKeown,
Acting, Departmental Consulting Archeologist.
Acting Chief, Archeological Assistance Division.
[FR Doc. 95-11158 Filed 5-4-95; 8:45 am]
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