Notice of Intent to Repatriate Cultural Items: Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 51635-51636 [E6-14471]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
• National Park Service

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 168 (Wednesday, August 30, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51635-51636]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-14471]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Intent to Repatriate Cultural Items: Peabody Museum of 
Archaeology and Ethnology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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    Notice is here given in accordance with the Native American Graves 
Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), 25 U.S.C. 3005, of the intent 
to repatriate cultural items in the possession of the Peabody Museum of 
Archaeology and Ethnology (Peabody Museum), Harvard University, 
Cambridge, MA, that meet the definition of ``objects of cultural 
patrimony'' under 25 U.S.C. 3001.

[[Page 51636]]

    This notice is published as part of the National Park Service's 
administrative responsibilities under NAGPRA, 25 U.S.C. 3003 (d)(3). 
The determinations in this notice are the sole responsibility of the 
museum, institution, or Federal agency that has control of the cultural 
items. The National Park Service is not responsible for the 
determinations in this notice.
    An assessment of the cultural items was made by Peabody Museum 
staff in consultation with representatives of the Bois Forte Band (Nett 
Lake) of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe, Minnesota.
    In 1941, two cultural items were donated to the Peabody Museum, as 
the legacy of David I. Bushnell, Jr. The two cultural items are cloth 
drum tabs with beaded decoration. One tab measures 20 x 16 x 1 cm and 
depicts a white human-like figure surrounded by floral elements. The 
second tab measures 19 x 15 x 0.5 cm and depicts four blue human 
figures (three men and one woman). Museum records indicate that Mr. 
Bushnell obtained the cultural items at United States Point, Basswood 
Lake, MN, in 1899. When Mr. Bushnell Jr. acquired the drum tabs they 
had been removed from a large, stationary drum, also known as a Dance 
Drum.
    The Dance Drum was introduced to the Chippewa people, also known as 
the Ojibwa people, in the late nineteenth century. Consultation 
evidence supports that stylistic characteristics of objects reported 
here are consistent with traditional Chippewa art forms. Historical 
research and consultation with tribal representatives indicate that 
Dance Drums and accoutrements, including drum tabs, were specialized 
objects associated with ceremonial Drum Dances and may be understood as 
externalized, materialized sacred visions. Dance Drums and portions of 
Dance Drums were transferred among communal drum societies in a 
formalized process and not between individuals. Therefore, Mr. 
Bushnell's purchase of the drum tabs did not meet proper, traditional 
requirements for the transfer of Dance Drums and accoutrements.
    United States Point lies within the traditional territory of the 
Bois Forte Band (Nett Lake) of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe. Mr. 
Bushnell recorded the name of the Basswood Lake Dance Drum's caretaker 
as ``Kingfisher.'' Federal records, including tribal allotment lists, 
payment rolls, and censuses, list a ``Kingfisher'' and his relations as 
members of Bois Forte Band.
    Consultation evidence indicates that the drum tabs have an ongoing 
historical, traditional, and cultural importance central to the Bois 
Forte Band (Nett Lake) of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe, Minnesota. 
Cultural affiliation with the Bois Forte Band (Nett Lake) of the 
Minnesota Chippewa Tribe, Minnesota is established through 
anthropological, geographical, and historical information; museum 
records, including Mr. Bushnell's account of his trip to Basswood Lake 
and acquisition of the drum tabs; Federal documentary records; and 
consultation evidence.
    Officials of the Peabody Museum have determined that, pursuant to 
25 U.S.C. 3001 (3)(D), the cultural items have ongoing historical, 
traditional, and cultural importance central to the tribe and could not 
have been alienated, appropriated, or conveyed by any individual tribal 
member. Officials of the Peabody Museum also have determined that, 
pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (2), there is a relationship of shared group 
identity that can be reasonably traced between the two objects of 
cultural patrimony and the Bois Forte (Nett Lake) Band of the Minnesota 
Chippewa Tribe, Minnesota.
    Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to 
be culturally affiliated with the objects of cultural patrimony should 
contact Patricia Capone, Repatriation Coordinator, Peabody Museum of 
Archaeology and Ethnology, Harvard University, 11 Divinity Avenue, 
Cambridge, MA 02138, telephone (617) 496-3702, before September 29, 
2006. Repatriation of the objects of cultural patrimony to the Bois 
Forte (Nett Lake) Band of the Minnesota Chippewa, Minnesota may proceed 
after that date if no additional claimants come forward.
    The Peabody Museum is responsible for notifying Bois Forte (Nett 
Lake) Band of the Minnesota Chippewa, Minnesota that this notice has 
been published.

    Dated: August 14, 2006.
Sherry Hutt,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. E6-14471 Filed 8-29-06; 8:45 am]
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