[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 55 (Wednesday, March 22, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Page 15156]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-6976]



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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service


Notice of Intent To Repatriate Cultural Items in the Possession 
of the USDA Forest Service

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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    Notice is hereby given under provisions of the Native American 
Graves Protection and Repatriation Act of the intent to repatriate 
cultural items in the possession of the Cibola National Forest, USDA 
Forest Service, that meet the definition of ``sacred object'' under 
Section 2 of the Act.
    The items consist of 138 bundles of feathers, several loose 
fragments of feathers and two corn husk bundle ties. Each feather 
bundle contains either two or three feathers tied with cotton twine on 
the lower shaft. With approximately one half of the bundles, the twine 
and some feathers are stained with red ochre. A few of the bundles are 
made up entirely of small feathers but most consist of one large 
feather and either one or two small feathers. The large feathers are 
turkey or hawk. With few exceptions, each bundle contains one small 
blue feather from a Stellar's or other jay.
    The feather bundles were collected by a hiker from a shrine on the 
Sandia Mountains (New Mexico) in the late summer/early fall of 1984 and 
were brought to the Sandia Ranger District, Cibola National Forest 
several weeks later. A review of published and unpublished ethnographic 
information identified 27 Indian tribes and pueblos that traditionally 
used the Sandia Mountains. All 27 Indian tribes and pueblos were 
notified of the feather bundles.
    Representatives of the Pueblo of Jemez have inspected the items and 
have identified them as prayer feather bundles. The representatives of 
the Pueblo of Jemez indicated that the prayer feather bundles are left 
as offerings at a shrine on the Sandia Mountains as part of their 
traditional religious practice. Once left as a offering, Jemez Pueblo 
religion requires that such prayer feather bundles not be disturbed.

    The Pueblo of Jemez has identified the prayer feather bundles and 
associated materials as sacred objects of the Pueblo of Jemez and 
requested their repatriation. The Pueblo of Sandia, the Pueblo of 
Acoma, the Pueblo of Isleta and the Pueblo of Zuni have been consulted 
following their expressions of interest in the feather bundles. The 
Pueblos of Sandia, Acoma, Isleta and Zuni support the claim of the 
Pueblo of Jemez to this particular collection of feather bundles from 
the Sandia Mountains.

    Based on the above mentioned information officials of the USDA 
Forest Service have determined, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(C), that 
these feather bundles are specific ceremonial objects needed by the 
traditional religious leaders of the Pueblo of Jemez for the practice 
of their traditional religion by its present day adherents. Officials 
of the USDA Forest Service have further determined, pursuant to 25 
U.S.C. 3001 (2), that there is a relationship of shared group identity 
which can be reasonably traced between these prayer feather bundles and 
the Pueblo of Jemez.

    This notice has been sent to officials of the Pueblos of Jemez, 
Acoma, Isleta, Sandia, and Zuni. Representatives of any other Indian 
tribe which believes itself to be culturally affiliated with these 
cultural items should contact Dr. Frank E. Wozniak, NAGPRA Coordinator, 
Southwestern Region, USDA Forest Service, 517 Gold Avenue, SW., 
Albuquerque, NM 87102, telephone: (505) 842-3238, before April 21, 
1995. Repatriation of these sacred objects to the Pueblo of Jemez may 
begin after that date if no additional claimants come forward.

    Dated: March 15, 1995.

Ruthann Knudson,

Acting, Departmental Consulting Archeologist, Acting Chief, 
Archeological Assistance Division.

[FR Doc. 95-6976 Filed 3-21-95; 8:45 am]

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