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

Citation86 FR 52178
Record Number2021-20262
Published date20 September 2021
SectionNotices
CourtNational Park Service
Federal Register, Volume 86 Issue 179 (Monday, September 20, 2021)
[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 179 (Monday, September 20, 2021)]
                [Notices]
                [Pages 52178-52179]
                From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
                [FR Doc No: 2021-20262]
                -----------------------------------------------------------------------
                DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
                National Park Service
                [NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0032608; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]
                Notice of Intent To Repatriate Cultural Items: Peabody Museum of
                Archaeology and Ethnology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
                AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.
                ACTION: Notice.
                -----------------------------------------------------------------------
                SUMMARY: The Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, Harvard
                University, in consultation with the appropriate Indian Tribes or
                Native Hawaiian organizations, has determined that the cultural items
                listed in this notice meet the definition of both sacred objects and
                objects of cultural patrimony. Lineal descendants or representatives of
                any Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization not identified in this
                notice that wish to claim these cultural items should submit a written
                request to the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology. If no
                additional claimants come forward, transfer of control of the cultural
                items to the lineal descendants, Indian Tribes, or Native Hawaiian
                organizations stated in this notice may proceed.
                DATES: Lineal descendants or representatives of any Indian Tribe or
                Native Hawaiian organization not identified in this notice that wish to
                claim these cultural items should submit a written request with
                information in support of the claim to the Peabody Museum of
                Archaeology and Ethnology at the address in this notice by October 20,
                2021.
                FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Patricia Capone, Curator and NAGPRA
                Director, Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, Harvard
                University, 11 Divinity Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138, telephone (617)
                496-3702, email [email protected].
                SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 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 under the
                control of the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, Harvard
                University, Cambridge, MA, that meet the definitions of sacred objects
                and objects of cultural patrimony under 25 U.S.C. 3001.
                 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 Native
                American cultural items. The National Park Service is not responsible
                for the determinations in this notice.
                History and Description of the Cultural Items
                 In 1889, one cultural item was removed from the White Earth Indian
                Reservation in northwest Minnesota. Dr. Walter James Hoffman acquired
                the item, a birchbark scroll, when studying the Midewiwin on behalf of
                the Bureau of American Ethnology. In 1891, the Bureau of American
                Ethnology donated the scroll to the United States National Museum,
                known today as the National Museum of Natural History. The Peabody
                Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology received the birchbark scroll in
                1906, as part of an exchange with the National Museum of Natural
                History. The scroll measures 36 x 11 cm. and is inscribed with eight
                separate figures. Museum documentation describes it as a ``Record of a
                song used in gathering of remedies.'' The birchbark scroll has been
                identified as both a sacred object and an object of cultural patrimony.
                 In the early 1900s, one cultural item was removed from the White
                Earth Indian Reservation in northwest Minnesota by Albert G. Heath, a
                collector and dealer of Native American objects in the early half of
                the 1900s. In March of 1952, the Denver Art Museum received the item, a
                birchbark scroll, as an anonymous donation through Julius Carlebach, a
                prominent New York art dealer. The Peabody Museum of Archaeology and
                Ethnology received the scroll in March of 1953, as part of an exchange
                with the Denver Art Museum. The birchbark scroll measures 134 x 31 cm.
                and is made up of three separate panels that have been hand-stitched
                together with fiber twine. Each panel is inscribed with a detailed
                scene. Museum documentation describes the birchbark scroll as ``used as
                a memory device in rites of the Midewiwin Society.'' The birchbark
                scroll has been identified as both a sacred object and an object of
                cultural patrimony.
                 Museum documentation and information obtained through consultation
                with representatives from the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe, Minnesota
                (White Earth Band), indicate these two cultural items are Ojibwe and
                are from the White Earth Indian Reservation, Minnesota. Historical and
                ethnographic data indicate that birchbark scrolls are part of the
                ritual items of the Midewiwin religion. Consultation evidence specifies
                the physical presence of the scrolls at Midewiwin ceremonies, as well
                as their importance to Mide practitioners in the dissemination of
                cosmological information and ceremonial practices. These two items meet
                the definition of sacred objects because they are specific ceremonial
                objects required by the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe, Minnesota (White
                Earth Band), to properly perform Midewiwin ceremonies.
                 Historical and ethnographic data demonstrate that these two
                cultural items also have ongoing historical, traditional, and cultural
                importance central to the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe, Minnesota (White
                Earth Band). Consultation evidence indicates that birchbark scrolls are
                not owned or alienable by an individual; rather, individuals serve as
                caretakers for the scrolls. These caretakers serve as custodians of the
                community knowledge, collective legacy, and heritage contained within
                the birchbark scrolls. These two cultural items meet the definition of
                objects of cultural patrimony because they have ongoing historical,
                traditional, and cultural importance central to the Minnesota Chippewa
                Tribe, Minnesota (White Earth Band) for the proper performance of
                Midewin ceremonies, and could not have been alienated or conveyed by an
                individual.
                Determinations Made by the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology,
                Harvard University
                 Officials of the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology,
                Harvard University have determined that:
                [[Page 52179]]
                 Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(C), the two cultural items
                described above are specific ceremonial objects needed by traditional
                Native American religious leaders for the practice of traditional
                Native American religions by their present-day adherents.
                 Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(D), the two cultural items
                described above have ongoing historical, traditional, or cultural
                importance central to the Native American group or culture itself,
                rather than property owned by an individual.
                 Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(2), there is a relationship of
                shared group identity that can be reasonably traced between the sacred
                objects and objects of cultural patrimony and the Minnesota Chippewa
                Tribe, Minnesota (White Earth Band).
                Additional Requestors and Disposition
                 Lineal descendants or representatives of any Indian Tribe or Native
                Hawaiian organization not identified in this notice that wish to claim
                these cultural items should submit a written request with information
                in support of the claim to Patricia Capone, Peabody Museum of
                Archaeology and Ethnology, Harvard University, 11 Divinity Avenue,
                Cambridge, MA 02138, telephone (617) 496-3702, email
                [email protected], by October 20, 2021. After that date, if no
                additional claimants have come forward, transfer of control of the
                sacred objects and objects of cultural patrimony to the Minnesota
                Chippewa Tribe, Minnesota (White Earth Band) may proceed.
                 The Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, Harvard University
                is responsible for notifying the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe, Minnesota
                (White Earth Band) that this notice has been published.
                 Dated: September 7, 2021.
                Melanie O'Brien,
                Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
                [FR Doc. 2021-20262 Filed 9-17-21; 8:45 am]
                BILLING CODE 4312-52-P
                

VLEX uses login cookies to provide you with a better browsing experience. If you click on 'Accept' or continue browsing this site we consider that you accept our cookie policy. ACCEPT