90 FR 52 pgs. 12756-12757 - Notice of Intended Repatriation: Thomas Burke Memorial Washington State Museum, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Type: NOTICEVolume: 90Number: 52Pages: 12756 - 12757
Pages: 12756, 12757Docket number: [NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0039639; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]
FR document: [FR Doc. 2025-04626 Filed 3-18-25; 8:45 am]
Agency: Interior Department
Sub Agency: National Park Service
Official PDF Version: PDF Version
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0039639; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]
Notice of Intended Repatriation: Thomas Burke Memorial Washington State Museum, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
AGENCY:
National Park Service, Interior.
ACTION:
Notice.
SUMMARY:
In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the Thomas Burke Memorial Washington State Museum (Burke Museum) intends to repatriate a certain cultural item that meets the definition of an unassociated funerary object and that have a cultural affiliation with the Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations in this notice.
DATES:
Repatriation of the cultural item in this notice may occur on or after April 18, 2025.
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ADDRESSES:
Peter Lape, Burke Museum, University of Washington, Box 353010, Seattle, WA 98195, telephone (206) 685-3849 Ext. 2, email plape@uw.edu.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
This notice is published as part of the National Park Service's administrative responsibilities under NAGPRA. The determinations in this notice are the sole responsibility of the Burke Museum, and additional information on the determinations in this notice, including the results of consultation, can be found in the summary or related records. The National Park Service is not responsible for the determinations in this notice.
Abstract of Information Available
A total of one cultural item has been requested for repatriation. The one unassociated funerary object is a ceramic vessel (Burke Cat. 1965-4/1). The vessel was collected by W.L. Phillips in 1926 from the Gulf Coast, possibly in Mississippi. The vessel was eventually obtained by Floyd Baldwin who then donated it to the Burke Museum in 1965. Baldwin provided a note from W.L. Phillips that stated the vessel was from the "Choctaw Indians" and had been exposed due to a hurricane in 1926, which eroded burial sites along river banks. Phillips provided one photograph of the burial site where he found the vessel, which included human remains. There is no information about whether Phillips collected any other burial material or human remains from this site. There is no documentation that indicates the vessel has been treated with hazardous substances; however, it has not been tested for hazardous contamination.
Determinations
The Burke Museum has determined that:
• The one unassociated funerary object described in this notice is reasonably believed to have been placed intentionally with or near human remains, and is connected, either at the time of death or later as part of the death rite or ceremony of a Native American culture according to the Native American traditional knowledge of a lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization. The unassociated funerary object has been identified by a preponderance of the evidence as related to human remains, specific individuals, or families, or removed from a specific burial site or burial area of an individual or individuals with cultural affiliation to an Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization.
• There is a reasonable connection between the cultural item described in this notice and The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma.
Requests for Repatriation
Additional, written requests for repatriation of the cultural item in this notice must be sent to the authorized representative identified in this notice under ADDRESSES . Requests for repatriation may be submitted by any lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization not identified in this notice who shows, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the requestor is a lineal descendant or a culturally affiliated Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization.
Repatriation of the cultural item in this notice to a requestor may occur on or after April 18, 2025. If competing requests for repatriation are received, the Burke Museum must determine the most appropriate requestor prior to repatriation. Requests for joint repatriation of the cultural item are considered a single request and not competing requests. The Burke Museum is responsible for sending a copy of this notice to the Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations identified in this notice and to any other consulting parties.
Authority: Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, 25 U.S.C. 3004 and the implementing regulations, 43 CFR 10.9.
Dated: March 5, 2025.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2025-04626 Filed 3-18-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-52-P