Native American human remains and associated funerary objects: State Historical Society of Wisconsin, WI— Chunk Stealer Bundle,

[Federal Register: September 13, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 176)]

[Notices]

[Page 49505-49506]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr13se99-110]

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service, Interior.

Notice of Intent to Repatriate Cultural Items in the Possession of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin, Madison, WI

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice

Notice is hereby given under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, 43 CFR 10.10 (a)(3), of the intent to repatriate cultural items in the possession of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin which meet the definition of ``sacred object'' and ``object of cultural patrimony'' under Section 2 of the Act.

The 28 cultural items consist of one cloth wrapper, two cane flutes, nine ermine skins, two fire-sets, a gourd rattle, a gourd bowl, an iron spear point, three war clubs, a rattle, a quillwork strip, a calico bundle containing a bird, a mat wrapper, a packet of roots, a buckskin bag, a packet of green paint, and a buckskin wrapper. Collectively, these cultural items comprise a Ho-Chunk Stealer Bundle.

In 1930, Charles Brown, representing the State Historical Society of Wisconsin, purchased the Stealer Bundle from John Blackhawk of Black River Falls, WI.

Consultation evidence presented by the Ho-Chunk Nation of Wisconsin confirms that all cultural items listed above are used in the Eagle Clan Lodge ceremony. Representatives of wa ma nu ka cha bra (Eagle Clan) have stated that these items are needed by traditional religious leaders for the practice of Native American religion by their present- day adherents. Representatives of the Ho-Chunk Nation of Wisconsin and the Eagle Clan of the Ho-Chunk Nation of Wisconsin have indicated that the Stealer Bundle and all associated items are owned communally by the clan as a whole and no individual had

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the right to sell or otherwise alienate the Stealer Bundle or and associated items.

Based on the above-mentioned information, officials of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (d)(3), these 28 cultural items are specific ceremonial objects needed by traditional Native American religious leaders for the practice of traditional Native American religions by their present-day adherents. Officials of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin have also determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (d)(4), these 28 cultural items have ongoing historical, traditional, and cultural importance central to the culture itself, and could not have been alienated, appropriated, or conveyed by any individual. Officials of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin have also determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (e), there is a relationship of shared group identity which can be reasonably traced between these items and the Ho-Chunk Nation of Wisconsin.

This notice has been sent to officials of the Ho-Chunk Nation of Wisconsin and the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska. Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to be culturally affiliated with these objects should contact Ms. Jennifer Kolb, Director, Museum Archeology Program, State Historical Society of Wisconsin, 816 State Street, Madison, WI 53706; telephone (608) 264-6560; e-mail: jlkolb@mail.shsw.wisc.edu before October 13, 1999. Repatriation of these objects to the Ho-Chunk Nation of Wisconsin may begin after that date if no additional claimants come forward.

Dated: August 24, 1999. Francis P. McManamon, Departmental Consulting Archeologist, Manager, Archeology and Ethnography Program.

[FR Doc. 99-23769Filed9-10-99; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4310-70-F