Notice2025-17616
Notice of Intended Repatriation: Denver Art Museum, Denver, CO
Primary source
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Published
September 12, 2025
Issuing agencies
Interior DepartmentNational Park Service
Abstract
In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the Denver Art Museum intends to repatriate certain cultural items that meet the definition of sacred objects/objects of cultural patrimony and that have a cultural affiliation with the Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations in this notice.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 175 (Friday, September 12, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 175 (Friday, September 12, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44216-44217]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-17616]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
[N6506; NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0041051; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]
Notice of Intended Repatriation: Denver Art Museum, Denver, CO
AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and
Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the Denver Art Museum intends to repatriate
certain cultural items that meet the
[[Page 44217]]
definition of sacred objects/objects of cultural patrimony and that
have a cultural affiliation with the Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian
organizations in this notice.
DATES: Repatriation of the cultural items in this notice may occur on
or after October 14, 2025.
ADDRESSES: Send additional, written requests for repatriation of the
cultural items in this notice to Jennifer (Jennie) Trujillo, Denver Art
Museum, 100 W 14th Avenue Parkway, Denver, CO 80204, email
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#4d27393f3827242121220d2928233b283f2c3f3920383e28382063223f2a"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="7e140a0c0b14171212113e1a1b10081b0c1f0c0a130b0d1b0b1350110c19">[email protected]</span></a>.
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
Denver Art 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 six cultural items have been requested for repatriation.
The six sacred objects/objects of cultural patrimony are one bundle
containing rattles, scalps, a headdress, sweet grass braids, and a robe
(1938.223.1-7); one elk bag containing a package of dried tongues and
pemmican (1938.136.1-3); one elk bag containing rattles and a necklace
(1938.218.1-4); two hairlock necklaces (1938.146 and 1938.174); and one
robe (1946.65).
The Denver Art Museum is responding to a 1994 repatriation request
from the Blackfeet Indian Reservation of Montana for a sacred bundle
(object number 1938.223.1-7) associated with the Blood Tribe (Kainaiwa)
of Alberta, Canada, and specifically linked to the individuals Come
Singing and Shore Chief. While the initial claim was deferred pending
further documentation, the Blackfeet Nation submitted a follow-up
request in 1995, endorsed by Chief Roy Fox of the Kainaiwa, seeking a
temporary loan of the bundle for use in the Okan Ceremony. In addition
to the original bundle, the Blackfeet Nation requested five other
sacred objects to complete the ceremonial use of the bundle (Objects
1938.136.1-3, 1938.218.1-4, 1938.146, 1938.174, and 1946.65). The
Denver Art Museum approved the loan, with renewals from 1995 to 2000.
As of this notice it is assumed, based on prior correspondence, that
the items remain in the community in either Montana or Alberta.
Although the five additional objects were not included in the original
claim, their inclusion in the ceremonial loan request and continued use
affirms their sacred status and ongoing cultural, historical, and
traditional significance. As such, all six objects are now included in
this Notice of Intent to Repatriate.
The six items were originally acquired by the museum from private
collector Madge Hardin Walters of San Diego, California. Walters spent
time with members of the Blackfeet and Blood Tribes in Montana and
Alberta during the 1920s and early 1930s and acquired the objects
either directly from tribal members or through intermediaries. However,
the museum's records do not confirm whether these objects were
transferred voluntarily or under duress, nor whether the original
parties had the authority to convey them. Consequently, the Denver Art
Museum does not assert a right of possession.
Determinations
The Denver Art Museum has determined that:
<bullet> The six sacred objects/objects of cultural patrimony
described in this notice are, according to the Native American
traditional knowledge of an Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian
organization, specific ceremonial objects needed by a traditional
Native American religious leader for present-day adherents to practice
traditional Native American religion, and have ongoing historical,
traditional, or cultural importance central to the Native American
group, including any constituent sub-group (such as a band, clan,
lineage, ceremonial society, or other subdivision).
<bullet> There is a 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, 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 items in this notice to a requestor
may occur on or after October 14, 2025. If competing requests for
repatriation are received, the Denver Art Museum 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 Denver Art 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: August 29, 2025.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2025-17616 Filed 9-11-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-52-P
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