Intended Repatriation: Field Museum, Chicago, IL

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Federal RegisterOct 22, 2024
89 Fed. Reg. 84386 (Oct. 22, 2024)
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    Department of the Interior National Park Service
  • [NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0038932; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]
  • AGENCY:

    National Park Service, Interior.

    ACTION:

    Notice.

    SUMMARY:

    In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the Field Museum intends to repatriate a certain cultural item that meets the definition of an unassociated funerary object and that has a known lineal descendant.

    DATES:

    Repatriation of the cultural item in this notice may occur on or after November 21, 2024.

    ADDRESSES:

    June Carpenter, NAGPRA Director, Field Museum, 1400 S Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60605, telephone (312) 665-7820, email jcarpenter@fieldmuseum.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 Field 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 unassociated funerary object is a ki'i lā'au (represented by Field Museum catalog number 272689). The ki'i lā'au was removed from the Hale o Keawe on the Island of Hawai'i in 1825 by one of the crewmembers of the H.M.S. Blonde. The Field Museum purchased the ki'i lā'au from A.W. F. Fuller in 1958. Fuller acquired the ki'i in 1911 from F.G. Spranger, who received it from a family member. No potentially hazardous substances are known to have been used to treat this item.

    Determinations

    The Field 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.
    • A known lineal descendant (name withheld per request) is connected to the cultural item described in this notice.

    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 November 21, 2024. If competing requests for repatriation are received, the Field 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 Field 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: October 11, 2024.

    Melanie O'Brien,

    Manager, National NAGPRA Program.

    [FR Doc. 2024-24423 Filed 10-21-24; 8:45 am]

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