[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 85 (Tuesday, May 4, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Page 23800]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-10376]
[[Page 23800]]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
Notice of Intent to Repatriate a Cultural Item: 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 one cultural item in the possession of the Rochester
Museum & Science Center, Rochester, NY, that meets 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
item. The National Park Service is not responsible for the
determinations in this notice.
In 1961, the museum acquired a large wooden medicine face (AE 9499/
61.334.1) from the Rochester Museum Association that previously had
purchased it from M.L. Philpott, Rochester, NY. According to the
seller, it had belonged to his father-in-law, a worker on several
estates in the Adirondacks, who received it from a Dr. Salisbury in
approximately 1913.
Original museum documentation stated that this medicine face could
only be generally affiliated with the ``Iroquois'' (New York State or
Canada). Oral evidence presented during consultation with
representatives of the Haudenosaunee Standing Committee on Burial Rules
and Regulations, as well as historical and anthropological scholarly
materials, support the fact that the Onondaga Nation is the Keeper of
the Central Fire of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, and as such has the
responsibility within the Haudenosaunee Confederacy to bring back
national cultural patrimony and sacred objects that are affiliated with
the ``Iroquois'' generally, and to return those objects to their
rightful communities. Therefore, it is the understanding of all the
Haudenosaunee Confederacy Nations that any medicine faces affiliated
generally as ``Iroquois'' are affiliated with the Onondaga Nation.
In the course of consultations with members of the Onondaga Nation,
it was shown that any individual who carved a medicine face and
alienated it to a third party that in turn donated it to the Rochester
Museum & Science Center did not have the authority to do so.
Furthermore, Onondaga Nation traditional religious leaders have
identified this medicine face as being needed for the practice of
traditional Native American religions by present-day adherents. Based
on consultation with NAGPRA representatives from the Onondaga Nation
and other Haudenosaunee and non-Haudenosaunee consultants, the museum
has determined that the medicine face is both a sacred object and
object of cultural patrimony. Accordingly, museum documentation,
consultation and oral evidence show that this medicine face is a sacred
object and an object of cultural patrimony, and that the medicine face
can be culturally affiliated to the Onondaga Nation of New York on
behalf of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy (also known as the Iroquois
Confederacy or Six Nations, which includes the Mohawk, Oneida,
Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca, and Tuscarora Nations that are in part
represented by the following Federally-recognized tribes: Cayuga Nation
of New York; Oneida Nation of New York; Oneida Tribe of Indians of
Wisconsin; Onondaga Nation of New York; Seneca Nation of New York;
Seneca-Cayuga Tribe of Oklahoma; Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe, New York;
Tonawanda Band of Seneca Indians of New York; and Tuscarora Nation of
New York).
Officials of the Rochester Museum & Science Center have determined,
that pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(C), the one cultural item described
above is a specific ceremonial object 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 one cultural item described above has 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 object/object 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 object/object of
cultural patrimony should contact Adele DeRosa, Rochester Museum &
Science Center, Rochester, NY 14607, telephone (585) 271-4552, ext 302,
before June 3, 2010. Repatriation of the sacred object/object 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. 2010-10376 Filed 5-3-10; 8:45 am]
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