[Federal Register: March 12, 1997 (Volume 62, Number 48)]
[Notices]
[Page 11463]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr12mr97-121]

[[Page 11463]]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Notice of Intent to Repatriate Cultural Items From Arizona in the
Possession of the San Diego Museum of Man, San Diego, CA

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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    Notice is hereby given under the Native American Graves Protection
and Repatriation Act, 25 U.S.C. 3005(a)(2), of the intent to repatriate
cultural items in the possession of the San Diego Museum of Man which
meet the definition of ``sacred objects'' under Section 2 of the Act.
    The nine Hopi Katsina masks consist of Hoote, Half Mask, Kohonina,
Monakvi, Kowako, Chakwaina, Sipikni, Soyoko, and Mong Koyemsi.
    In 1955, the Katsina Half Mask was acquired by the San Diego Museum
of Man as part of an exchange with Mr. Ralph Altman of Los Angeles, CA.
Accession information indicates this Katsina mask's provenience is
Hopi, Northern Arizona.
    In 1957, the Katsina Hoote was purchased by the San Diego Museum of
Man from ``Trader Bill'' Berner of Phoenix, AZ. Accession information
indicates this mask was collected around 1957 in New Oraibi, AZ.
    In 1962, the Katsina masks Kohonina and Monakvi were purchased by
the San Diego Museum of Man from Mr. Tom Bahti, a dealer in
Southwestern arts. The accession information lists these masks as Hopi.
    In 1977, the Katsina masks Kowako, Chakwaina, and Sipikni were
purchased by the San Diego Museum of Man from Hubert Guy. These Katsina
masks had previously passed through several dealers. The accession
information indicates the original purchaser, Mr. Ron Munn of La Mesa,
CA, purchased these Katsina masks from ``a Hopi man.'' The Katsina Mask
Soyoko was also purchased by the San Diego Museum of Man from Hubert
Guy, who bought this mask from Mr. Lewis of Snowflake, AZ. The
accession information indicates these four Katsina masks are from the
Hopi Reservation.
    In 1977, the Katsina mask Mong Koyemsi was purchased by the San
Diego Museum of Man from Ron Munn. The accession information lists the
provenience as the Hopi Reservation.
    Accession information and anthropological evidence indicate these
Katsina masks are consistent with Hopi practice. Consultation with
representatives of the Hopi tribe indicates that these Katsina masks
are needed by traditional religious leaders for the practice of Hopi
religion by present day adherents.
    Based on the above-mentioned information, officials of the San
Diego Museum of Man have determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C.
3001(3)(C), these nine cultural items 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 San Diego Museum of Man have also
determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (2), there is a
relationship of shared group identity which can be reasonably traced
between these items and the Hopi Tribe.
    This notice has been sent to officials of the Hopi Tribe and the
Navajo Nation. {The Navajo Nation is being notified because of the
inaccurate inclusion of one of these Katsina friends on their NAGPRA
summary.} Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes
itself to be culturally affiliated with these objects should contact
Ken Hedges, Chief Curator, San Diego Museum of Man, 1350 El Prado, San
Diego, CA 92101, telephone (619) 239-2001 before April 11, 1997.
Repatriation of these objects to the Hopi Tribe may begin after that
date if no additional claimants come forward.

Dated: March 5, 1997.
Veletta Canouts,
Acting Departmental Consulting Archaeologist, 
Deputy Manager, Archeology and Ethnography Program.
[FR Doc. 97-6184 Filed 3-11-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-M

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