[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 174 (Friday, September 6, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 47177]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-22825]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Notice of Intent To Repatriate a Cultural Item in the Possession
of the Buffalo Bill Historical Center, Cody, WY
AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.
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 Buffalo Bill Historical
Center, Cody, WY which meets the definition of ``sacred object'' under
Section 2 of the Act.
The Medicine Pipe Thunder Bundle consists of a calumet (eagle-
feathered pipe stem) with red cloth cover; a secondary pipe consisting
of a pipe bowl and wooden stem; two buffalo skin rattles; four stuffed
intact bird skins with cloth wrappers consisting of a Canadian goose,
hawk, duck and kingfisher; a Hudson's Bay cloth, and a wool blanket.
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.
Museum records indicate that the bundle was purchased by the
Buffalo Bill Historical Center in 1968 from Jim Brubaker, a dealer in
the Browning Montana area. Ethnohistorical documentation gathered from
Lone Wolf (nephew of Boy Chief) together with evidence submitted by the
representatives of the Blackfeet Nation indicates that the known
history of the bundle can be traced to the 1870's when Eagle Plume was
the traditional bundle holder. The bundle passed through several bundle
holders including Lone Chief in the 1880's, Wolf Plume (ca. 1896-1910),
Chief Crow (ca. 1910-1915), Boy Chief (ca. 1915-1921), Raven Chief (ca.
1921-1930), and Bull Plume (ca. 1930-1960's). Descendants of Boy Chief
sold the bundle to Jim Brubaker.
During consultation with the Buffalo Bill Historical Center,
authorized representatives of the Blackfeet Nation and the Pikuni
Traditionalists Association identified this object as necessary for the
practice of traditional Blackfeet religion. These representatives,
including traditional religions leaders, have verified that this object
is a Medicine Pipe Thunder Bundle of the Blackfeet Nation, known as Boy
Chief's bundle.
Based on the above-mentioned information, officials of the Buffalo
Bill Historical Center 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 Buffalo Bill Historical Center have also determined
that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(2), there is a relationship of shared
group identity which can be reasonably traced between this item and the
Blackfeet Nation.
This notice has been sent to officials of the Blackfeet Nation.
Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to be
culturally affiliated with this object should contact Emma I. Hansen,
Buffalo Bill Historical Center, P.O. Box 1000, Cody, WY 82414,
telephone (307) 587-4771 before October 7, 1996. Repatriation of these
objects to the Blackfeet Nation may begin after that date if no
additional claimants come forward.
Dated: August 29, 1996.
Francis P. McManamon,
Departmental Consulting Archeologist, Chief, Archeology and Ethnography
Program.
[FR Doc. 96-22825 Filed 9-5-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-M
