90 FR 62 pg. 14467 - Notice of Intended Repatriation: American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY
Type: NOTICEVolume: 90Number: 62Page: 14467
Page: 14467Docket number: [NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0039801; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]
FR document: [FR Doc. 2025-05597 Filed 4-1-25; 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-NPS0039801; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]
Notice of Intended Repatriation: American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY
AGENCY:
National Park Service, Interior.
ACTION:
Notice.
SUMMARY:
In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) intends to repatriate certain cultural items that meet the definition of objects of cultural patrimony and that have a cultural affiliation with the Indian Tribe in this notice.
DATES:
Repatriation of the cultural items in this notice may occur on or after May 2, 2025.
ADDRESSES:
Nell Murphy, American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th Street, New York, NY 10024, telephone (212) 769-5837, email nmurphy@amnh.org.
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 AMNH, 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 40 cultural items have been requested for repatriation. The 40 objects of cultural patrimony comprise a partial Beaver Bundle. Dr. Clark Wissler, Curator of the Department of Anthropology, purchased the bundle in 1917 from a family member of the previous owner. The Beaver Bundle was accessioned that same year.
While it no longer does so, in the past, the Museum applied potentially hazardous pesticides to items in the collections. Museum records do not list specific objects treated or which of several chemicals used were applied to a particular item. Therefore, those handling this material should follow the advice of industrial hygienists or medical personnel with specialized training in occupational health or with potentially hazardous substances.
Determinations
The American Museum of Natural History has determined that:
• The 40 objects of cultural patrimony described in this notice are objects that have ongoing historical, traditional, or cultural importance central to a Native American group, including any constituent sub-group (such as a band, clan, lineage, ceremonial society, or other subdivision), according to the Native American traditional knowledge of an Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization.
• There is a reasonable connection between the cultural items described in this notice and the Blackfeet Tribe of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation of Montana.
Requests for Repatriation
Additional, written requests for repatriation of the cultural items 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 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.
Repatriation of the cultural items in this notice to a requestor may occur on or after May 2, 2025. If competing requests for repatriation are received, the AMNH must determine the most appropriate requestor prior to repatriation. Requests for joint repatriation of the cultural items are considered a single request and not competing requests. The AMNH is responsible for sending a copy of this notice to the Indian Tribe identified in this notice.
Authority: Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, 25 U.S.C. 3004 and the implementing regulations, 43 CFR 10.9.
Dated: March 21, 2025.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2025-05597 Filed 4-1-25; 8:45 am]
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