[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 115 (Thursday, June 14, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 32373]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-14991]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Intent to Repatriate a Cultural Item in the Possession 
of Cornell University, Ithaca, NY

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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    Notice is hereby given under the Native American Graves Protection 
and Repatriation Act, 43 CFR 10.10 (a)(3), of the intent to repatriate 
a cultural item in the possession of Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 
that meets the definition of ``object of cultural patrimony'' under 
Section 2 of the Act.
    This notice is published as part of the National Park Service's 
administrative responsibilities under NAGPRA, 43 CFR 10.2 (c). The 
determinations within this notice are the sole responsibility of the 
museum, institution, or Federal agency that has control of these 
cultural items. The National Park Service is not responsible for the 
determinations within this notice.
    The item is a carved wooden totem pole. The pole includes eagle, 
beaver, and halibut crest designs.
    Museum records indicate that Cornell University obtained the totem 
pole in 1899 as a gift from Bernhard Fernow, former dean of the New 
York State College of Forestry at Cornell University. Professor Fernow 
served as a member of the Harriman Expedition, which removed totem 
poles and other objects from Cape Fox Village, AK, in 1899.
    Evidence for cultural affiliation is provided by historical 
literature, crests on the pole, and written materials submitted by the 
Cape Fox Corporation.
    Based on the above information, officials of Cornell University 
have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (d)(4), this cultural 
item has ongoing historical, traditional, and cultural importance 
central to the Tlingit people, and to the Neix.adi clan in particular, 
and that under the Tlingit system of communal property ownership could 
not have been alienated, appropriated, or conveyed by any individual. 
Officials of Cornell University also have determined that, pursuant to 
43 CFR 10.2 (e), there is a relationship of shared group identity that 
can be reasonably traced between this object of cultural patrimony and 
the Neix.adi clan of the Tlingit Tribe, whose interests are represented 
here by the Cape Fox Corporation.
    This notice has been sent to officials of the Cape Fox Corporation. 
Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to be 
culturally affiliated with this object of cultural patrimony should 
contact Patricia A. McClary, Associate University Counsel, Cornell 
University, 300 CCC Building, Garden Avenue, Ithaca, NY 14853-2601, 
telephone (607) 255-5124, before July 16, 2001. Repatriation of this 
object of cultural patrimony to the Cape Fox Corporation may begin 
after that date if no additional claimants come forward.

    Dated: May 18, 2001
 John Robbins,
Assistant Director, Cultural Resources Stewardship and Partnerships.
[FR Doc. 01-14991 Filed 6-13-01; 8:45 am]
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