[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 85 (Tuesday, May 4, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23801-23802]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-10368]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Intent to Repatriate Cultural Items: Rochester Museum & 
Science Center, Rochester, NY

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 Rochester Museum 
& Science Center, Rochester, NY, 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 1929, the museum purchased two small wooden medicine faces from 
Alvin Dewey, Rochester, NY. On March 25, 1922, Alvin Dewey obtained 
them from Albert G. Heath, Chicago, IL. The first medicine face 
measures 2 3/4'' inches long (AE 2880/D 10922/29.259.27). The second 
medicine face is a small wooden ``Leader's'' face that measures 2 7/8'' 
long (AE 2881/D 11923/29.259.28). According to the documentation, these 
were individually tied to poles ``and carried by the Leader in the 
Seneca False Face Ceremonies.''
    Museum documentation indicates that these medicine faces are 
culturally affiliated with the ``Seneca.'' NAGPRA representative 
consultants from the Tonawanda Seneca Nation informed the Rochester 
Museum & Science Center that ethnographic objects identified as 
``Seneca'' should go back to them because the Tonawanda Seneca Nation 
is the center of the Seneca religious fire. This was agreed upon by 
representatives from the Seneca Nation of New York, the Tonawanda Band 
of Seneca Indians of New York, and the Seneca-Cayuga Tribe of Oklahoma.
    Tonawanda Seneca Nation traditional religious leaders have 
identified these medicine faces as being needed for the practice of 
traditional Native American religions by present-day adherents. During 
consultation, it was shown that individuals who carved a face did not 
have the authority to alienate it to a third party or sell it 
indirectly to the Rochester Museum & Science Center. Therefore, based 
on consultation with NAGPRA representatives from the Tonawanda Seneca 
Nation and other Haudenosaunee and non-Haudenosaunee consultants, the 
museum has determined that the medicine faces are both sacred objects 
and objects of cultural patrimony.
    Officials of the Rochester Museum & Science Center have determined, 
that pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(C), the two 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 
Rochester Museum & Science Center have also determined that, pursuant 
to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(D), the two cultural items described above have an 
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 Rochester Museum & Science 
Center 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 
Tonawanda Band of Seneca Indians of New York.
    Representatives of any other Indian Nation or tribe that believes 
itself to be culturally affiliated with the sacred objects/objects of 
cultural patrimony should contact Adele DeRosa, NAGPRA Coordinator/
Collections Manager, Rochester Museum & Science Center, 657 East Ave., 
Rochester, NY 14607, telephone (585) 271-4552, ext 302, before June 3, 
2010. Repatriation of the sacred objects/objects of cultural patrimony 
to the Tonawanda Band of Seneca Indians of New York may proceed after 
that date if no additional claimants come forward.
    The Rochester Museum & Science Center is responsible for notifying 
the Seneca Nation of New York, Seneca-Cayuga Tribe of Oklahoma, and 
Tonawanda Band of Seneca Indians of New York that this notice has been 
published.


[[Page 23802]]


    Dated: April 12, 2010.
Sherry Hutt,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2010-10368 Filed 5-3-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-50-S