[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 210 (Friday, October 30, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 58417]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-29094]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
Notice of Intent to Repatriate a Cultural Item in the Possession
of the American Museum of Natural History, New York City, NY
AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice.
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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 American Museum of Natural
History, New York City, NY which meets the definition of ``object of
cultural patrimony'' under Section 2 of the Act.
The cultural item is a wampum string in two pieces. The shell beads
alternate white and purple, except at one end of the longer strand,
which is made up of the purple wampum interspersed at two places with a
single white bead, and with a third white bead at the end.
In 1910, the American Museum of Natural History purchased this
wampum string from Mr. Erastus Tefft as part of his collection. Mr.
Tefft had acquired the string from Mr. M.R. Harrington. According to
the Museum's documentation, Mr. Harrington had acquired this wampum
string from Mr. Dan Webster in Oneida, NY. The Museum's records state
that this wampum string was ``said to represent the office of a chief
in the Turtle Clan.''
Based on the Museum's records and consultation with representatives
of the Oneida Nation of New York, this wampum string is affiliated with
the Oneida Nation of New York. Consultation evidence presented by
representatives of the Oneida Nation of New York also indicates that
this item has ongoing historical, traditional, and cultural importance
central to the Tribe itself, and no individual had the right to
alienate it. The Museum's review of this information indicates that it
is accurate.
Based on the above mentioned information, officials of the American
Museum of Natural History have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2
(d)(4), this cultural item has ongoing historical, traditional, and
cultural importance central to the Tribe itself, and could not have
been alienated, appropriated, or conveyed by any individual. Officials
of the American Museum of Natural History 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 the
Oneida Nation of New York.
This notice has been sent to officials of the Oneida Nation of New
York and the Oneida Tribe of Wisconsin. Representatives of any other
Indian tribe that believes itself to be culturally affiliated with this
object should contact Martha Graham, Registrar of Cultural Resources,
American Museum of Natural History, Department of Anthropology, Central
Park West at 79th Street, New York, NY 10024-5192; telephone: (212)
769-5846 before November 30, 1998. Repatriation of this object to the
Oneida Nation of New York may begin after that date if no additional
claimants come forward.
Dated: October 22, 1998.
Francis P. McManamon,
Departmental Consulting Archeologist,
Manager, Archeology and Ethnography Program.
[FR Doc. 98-29094 Filed 10-29-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-F
