[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 88 (Friday, May 7, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25289-25290]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-10371]


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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 13 cultural items in the possession of the Rochester 
Museum & Science Center, Rochester, NY, that meet the definitions of 
``sacred object'' and object 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.
    On January 1, 1928, the museum acquired two large wooden medicine 
faces from Alvin Dewey, Rochester, NY (AE 2870/D 8363/29.259.17 and AE 
2872/D 8364/29.259.19). The Dewey catalog card states: ``Onondaga 
Indians. From the John Kilham collection, May 23, 1919.''
    On August 15, 1966, two large wooden medicine faces were donated to 
the museum by Mr. & Mrs. Warner Palmer, Albion, NY (AE 10315/66.222.1 
and AE 10316/66.222.2). Both faces were made circa 1960, and collected 
by Charles Palmer.
    In 1971, nine miniature wooden medicine faces were donated by the 
Rochester Museum Association to the museum (E 13.1.345/numbers 71.17.1-
9). They are of Onondaga origin and were made circa 1970.
    Onondaga Nation traditional religious leaders have identified these 
medicine faces as being needed for the practice of traditional Native 
American religions by present-day adherents. In the course of 
consultations with members of the Onondaga Nation, it was shown that 
any individual who carved a medicine face

[[Page 25290]]

and alienated it to a third party that in turn donated or sold it to 
the Rochester Museum & Science Center did not have the authority to do 
so. Museum documentation, supported by oral evidence presented during 
consultation by the Onondaga Nation NAGPRA representatives and other 
Haudenosaunee and non-Haudenosaunee parties, indicates that these 
medicine faces are culturally affiliated with the Onondaga Nation, and 
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 13 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 13 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 
Onondaga Nation 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, Rochester Museum & 
Science Center, Rochester, NY 14607, telephone (585) 271-4552, ext 302, 
before June 7, 2010. Repatriation of the sacred objects/objects of 
cultural patrimony to the Onondaga Nation of New York may proceed after 
that date if no additional claimants come forward.
    The Rochester Museum & Science Center is responsible for notifying 
the Onondaga Nation of New York that this notice has been published.

    Dated: April 27, 2010.
David Tarler,
Acting Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2010-10371 Filed 5-6-10; 8:45 am]
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