96-11791. Notice of Intent to Repatriate a Cultural Item in the Possession of the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA

[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 92 (Friday, May 10, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21486-21487]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-11791]



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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Notice of Intent to Repatriate a Cultural Item in the Possession 
of the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, Harvard University, 
Cambridge, MA

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 a cultural item in the possession of the Peabody Museum of 
Archaeology and Ethnology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, which 
meets the definition of ``sacred object'' and ``object of cultural 
patrimony''.
    The Beaver bundle consists of a painted elk skin outer wrapping, 
with

[[Page 21487]]

an inner wrapping of bison hide, containing nineteen bird skins or body 
parts, and a composite consisting of two bird skins; four squirrel, two 
beaver, four muskrat skins; one mink, one weasel and one fawn skin; 
also contained are six tied bladder bags, four sticks, a buffalo rib, 
and a badger skin fur bag containing a bladder bag, tobacco, a bone awl 
and a beaded fur charm. An auxiliary bundle holds two skin bags 
containing red and black paint, a skin bag with a buffalo rock, eleven 
hide rattles, a rectangle of painted rawhide, one rattle of elk hooves, 
eight sticks, and two braids of sweet grass. Accessories include a pipe 
stem with a red bayeta case and red bayeta outer wrapping, and a 
section of wooden broomstick.
    The Beaver bundle was obtained by Frank Red Crow in 1942, who sold 
it to Madge Hardin Walters collecting on behalf of the Denver Art 
Museum. In 1952 the Denver Art Museum transferred ownership to the 
Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology.
    Evidence provided by representatives of the Blackfeet Nation acting 
on behalf of the Blackfeet Confederacy (including the Piegan and Blood 
First Nations of Canada) shows that the Beaver Bundle is urgently 
needed for the continued practice of traditional Blackfeet religion by 
present-day adherents. Representatives of the Blackfeet Nation further 
state that this item has ongoing traditional and cultural importance to 
the Confederacy and could not have been conveyed or otherwise alienated 
by any individual tribal member.
    Authorities of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and 
State Fish and Wildlife Agencies have been contacted regarding 
applicability of Federal and State wildlife legislation and have 
concurred in the conclusion that there are no prohibitions on the 
transfer of the bundle.
    Based on the above-mentioned information, officials of the Peabody 
Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology have determined that, pursuant to 
25 U.S.C. 3001 (3)(C), this cultural item is a specific ceremonial 
object needed by traditional Native American religious leaders for the 
practice of traditional Native American religions by their present-day 
adherents. Officials of the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology 
also have determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (3)(D), this 
cultural item has ongoing historical, traditional, and cultural 
importance central to the culture itself, and could not have been 
alienated, appropriated, or conveyed by any individual. Further, 
Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology officials 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 Blackfeet Nation.
    Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to 
be culturally affiliated with this object should contact Mrs. Barbara 
Isaac, Assistant Director, Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, 
11 Divinity Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138, telephone: [phone] 
before June 10, 1996. Repatriation of the object to the Blackfeet 
Nation may begin after that date if no additional claimants come 
forward.
Dated: May 6, 1996
Francis P. McManamon
Departmental Consulting Archeologist
Chief, Archeology & Ethnography Program
[FR Doc. 96-11791 Filed 5-9-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-F