[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 144 (Wednesday, July 27, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44947-44948]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-18999]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
[2253-665]
Notice of Intent To Repatriate Cultural Items: University of
Michigan Museum of Anthropology, Ann Arbor, MI
AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The University of Michigan Museum of Anthropology, in
consultation with the appropriate Indian tribe, has determined that the
items meet the definition of sacred objects and repatriation to the
Indian tribe stated below may occur if no additional claimants come
forward. Representatives of any Indian tribe that believes itself to be
culturally affiliated with the sacred objects may contact the
University of Michigan Museum of Anthropology.
DATES: Representatives of any Indian tribe that believes it has a
cultural affiliation with the cultural items should contact the
University of Michigan Museum of Anthropology at the address below by
August 26, 2011.
ADDRESSES: Ben Secunda, NAGPRA Project Manager, Office of the Vice
President for Research, University of Michigan, 4080 Fleming Building,
503 Thompson St., Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1340, telephone (734) 647-9085.
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 in the
possession of the University of Michigan Museum of Anthropology, Ann
Arbor, MI, that meet the definition of sacred objects 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 cultural
items. The National Park Service is not responsible for the
determinations in this notice.
History and Description of the Cultural Items
The five cultural items are one snake skin strap/belt (catalog
number 23755), two medicine bags (catalog numbers 23756 and 22201), and
two drums (catalog numbers 23759 and 23754). Between 1930 and 1940,
these five objects were purchased by W. Vernon Kinietz on behalf of the
University of Michigan Museum of Anthropology.
The first cultural object (23755) is a strap or belt made from the
complete skin of a fox snake with the snake's jaw attached to the end
of the strap. The strap is backed with blue wool fabric with a band of
red cotton cloth that creates a border along the edges. Beading runs
down the center of the wool fabric forming a floral design of red and
white glass beads. This item
[[Page 44948]]
was purchased by W. Vernon Kinietz in the 1930s from Mrs. Anna Scott
and was accessioned into the museum in 1940.
The second cultural object (23756) is a bag made from weasel skin
with five long loom-worked beaded pieces, four of the same length and
one of greater length, that once attached to the bag. The beaded pieces
have decorations of white, red, and blue zigzags with larger green
beads and tassels attached to the ends. This item was purchased by W.
Vernon Kinietz in the 1930s from Mrs. Anna Scott and was accessioned
into the museum in 1940.
The third cultural object (22201) is a small bag made from a full
weasel skin. The tail end of the bag is open. At the other end, the
animal's head is tied shut by a white, blue, and red cotton ribbon.
This item was donated to the museum by W. Vernon Kinietz in 1939.
The fourth cultural object (23754) is a hand drum made of thin hide
stretched over a narrow wood frame. The hide is painted on one side
with two red birds, possibly turkeys, and on the other side is a large
red circle or disk. The drum is roughly 43.2 cm in diameter and 10.2 cm
in height. The wooden frame has been damaged and the hide is no longer
taut. On July 8, 1940, the drum was purchased from Mrs. Anna Scott by
W. Vernon Kinietz.
The fifth cultural object (23759) is a tall drum made of wood with
hide set in place by a cloth band. The wooden frame has a bottom and
contains a small hole on one side that is plugged by a wooden peg. The
drum measures approximately 43 cm in height and 29 cm in diameter.
Museum records indicate that this drum was purchased from Jon Pete, a
former chief of the Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa
Indians. The exact date of the purchase is unknown.
In consultation with Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior
Chippewa representatives, and review of museum documentation and
published literature, all five of these objects are determined to be
sacred objects under NAGPRA. The materials and motifs of the strap
(23755) were identified as being related to Midewiwin, a secret
Medicine Society. Additionally, the tall wooden drum (23759) was
identified as a water drum used in traditional Midewiwin ceremonies.
The two weasel bags (22201 and 23756) were identified as medicine bags
used to carry and hold sacred objects. The hand drum (23754) was found
to be a dream drum used in naming ceremonies.
Determinations Made by the University of Michigan Museum of
Anthropology
Officials of the University of Michigan Museum of Anthropology have
determined that:
Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(C), the five 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(2), there is a relationship of
shared group identity that can be reasonably traced between the sacred
objects and the Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa
Indians, Michigan.
Additional Requestors and Disposition
Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to
be culturally affiliated with the sacred objects should contact Ben
Secunda, NAGPRA Project Manager, Office of the Vice President for
Research, University of Michigan, 4080 Fleming Building, 503 Thompson
St., Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1340, telephone (734) 647-9085, before August
26, 2011. Repatriation of the sacred objects to the Lac Vieux Desert
Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians, Michigan, may proceed after
that date if no additional claimants come forward.
The University of Michigan Office of the Vice President is
responsible for notifying the Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior
Chippewa Indians, Michigan, that this notice has been published.
Dated: July 20, 2011.
Sherry Hutt,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2011-18999 Filed 7-26-11; 8:45 am]
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