[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 62 (Tuesday, April 1, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15537-15538]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-8215]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Notice of Intent to Repatriate Cultural Items in the Possession
of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin, Madison, WI
AGENCY: National Park Service
ACTION: Notice
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Notice is hereby given under the Native American Graves Protection
and Repatriation Act, 25 U.S.C. 3005 (a)(2), of the intent to
repatriate cultural items in the possession of the State Historical
Society of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, which meet the definition of
``sacred object'' and `` object of cultural patrimony'' under Section 2
of the Act.
The eighteen cultural items consist of one drum, four drumlegs, two
drumsticks, two silver brooches, one featherbelt, one featherbox, two
pipes with stems, one pipe bag, two pouches, and one tobacco bowl. The
drum is constructed from a wooden barrel covered with rawhide painted
on the top side. The sides of the drum have an attached cloth skirt,
fur trim, floral beaded belt, and four beaded tabs with designs of
human hands, human figures, silver brooches, and tin jingles. The four
drumlegs are carved wood with portions wrapped with beadwork. The two
drumsticks are wood carved in a hoop style with wrapped fur and
beadwork. The featherbelt consists of a leather belt with beaded wool
drops and attached rows of golden eagle and flicker feathers. The
feather box is wood with bas relief designs carved on the lid. The
first pipe has a round wooden stem wrapped with beadwork, and the
pipebowl is red pipstone with lead inlay. The second pipe is a flat
wooden stem with wrapped beadwork, and the pipebowl is black pipestone.
The pipebag is leather with floral beadwork on one side. The two
pouches are leather with partially beaded floral designs. The tobacco
bowl is a carved walnut bowl.
Between 1914-1952, Mr. H. L. Mumm and later his heirs operated
several trading posts at various locations in northern Wisconsin,
including Minocqua, a town adjacent to the Lac Du Flambeau reservation.
In 1954, the Banta Publishing Company purchased these cultural items
from Mrs. Odie Mumm Abel and Mr. Edward F. Mumm, heirs of the original
collector, Mr. H. L. Mumm and donated them to the State Historical
Society of Wisconsin. Consultation evidence presented by
representatives of the Lac Du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa
confirm that all cultural items listed above are used in the Big Drum
ceremony. Representatives of the Chi-Dewei'igan, or Big Drum Society,
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 Lac Du Flambeau Band of Lake
Superior Chippewa and the Chi-Dewei'igan Society also state that the
Big Drum and all associated items are owned communally, and no
individual had the right to sell or otherwise alienate these cultural
items. Further, representatives of both the Lac du Flambeau Chi-
Dewei'igan and the Forest County Potawatami Chi-Dewei'igan have stated
that this particular drum and associated items was in use at Lac du
Flambeau before their accession into the State Historical Society of
Wisconsin.
Based on the above-mentioned information, officials of the State
Historical Society of Wisconsin have determined that, pursuant to 25
U.S.C. 3001 (3)(C), these eighteen 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 25 U.S.C. 3001
(3)(D), these eighteen cultural items have ongoing
[[Page 15538]]
historical, traditional, and cultural importance central to the culture
itself, and could not have been alienated, appropriated, or conveyed by
any individual. Finally, officials of the State Historical Society of
Wisconsin have determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(2), there is
a relationship of shared group identity which can be reasonably traced
between these items and the Lac Du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior
Chippewa.
Authorities of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service have
been contacted regarding applicability of Federal endangered species
statutes to this transfer and have concurred in the conclusion that the
object is not covered due to its age.
This notice has been sent to officials of the Forest County
Potawatami of Wisconsin and the Lac Du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior
Chippewa. Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes
itself to be culturally affiliated with these objects should contact
David Wooley, Curator of Anthropology, State Historical Society of
Wisconsin, 816 State Street, Madison, WI 53706, telephone (608) 264-
6574 before May 1, 1997. Repatriation of these objects to the Lac Du
Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa may begin after that date if no
additional claimants come forward.
Dated: March 26, 1997.
Veletta Canouts,
Acting Departmental Consulting Archeologist,
Assistant Manager, Archeology and Ethnography Program.
[FR Doc. 97-8215 Filed 3-31-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-F
