Native American human remains and associated funerary objects: Milwaukee, WI; Milwaukee Public Museum; repatriation of cultural item,

[Federal Register: November 17, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 221)]

[Notices]

[Page 63946]

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

[DOCID:fr17no98-104]

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

Notice of Intent to Repatriate a Cultural Item from the Island of O'ahu, HI in the Possession of the Milwaukee Public Museum, Milwaukee, 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 a cultural item in the possession of the Milwaukee Public Museum, Milwaukee, WI which meets the definition of ``unassociated funerary object'' under Section 2 of the Act.

The cultural item is a round basalt game stone known as an ulumaika.

Prior to 1913, Mr. M.B. Wengler excavated the ulumaika from a grave in the suburbs of Honolulu on the Island of O'ahu, HI. Also prior to 1913, Mr. Wengler sold or traded this ulumaika to Mr. William H. Ellsworth of Milwaukee, WI. In 1913, Mr. Ellsworth donated this ulumaika to the Milwaukee Public Museum.

Based on known Native Hawaiian tradition and practices, this cultural item is consistent with Native Hawaiian funerary objects. Collections documentation and consultation evidence presented by Hui Malama I Na Kupuna O Hawai'i Nei support the conclusion that this cultural item was placed with human remains.

Officials of the Milwaukee Public Museum have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (d)(2)(ii), this cultural item is reasonably believed to have been placed with or near individual human remains at the time of death or later as part of the death rite or ceremony and is believed, by a preponderance of the evidence, to have been removed from a specific burial site of an Native American individual. Officials of the Milwaukee Public Museum 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 this item and Hui Malama I Na Kupuna O Hawai'i Nei.

This notice has been sent to officials of the Hui Malama I Na Kupuna O Hawai'i Nei and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to be culturally affiliated with this object should contact Ann McMullen, Ph.D., Curator of North American Ethnology, Milwaukee Public Museum, 800 West Wells Street, Milwaukee, WI 53233; telephone: (414) 278-2786; fax: (414) 278-6100 before December 17, 1998. Repatriation of this object to Hui Malama I Na Kupuna O Hawai'i Nei may begin after that date if no additional claimants come forward. Dated: November 5, 1998. Francis P. McManamon, Departmental Consulting Archeologist, Manager, Archeology and Ethnography Program.

[FR Doc. 98-30682Filed11-16-98; 8:45 am]

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