Federal Register / Vol. 60 No. 31 / February 15, 1995 / Notices
                                                         Page 8732 & 8733

        DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

        National Park Service

        Notice of Intent to Repatriate a Cultural Item in the Possession
        of the Robert Hull Flemming Museum of the University of Vermont,
        Burlington, Vermont

        AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior

        ACTION: Notice

        _________________________________________________________________

        Notice is hereby given under the Native American Graves
        Protection and Repatriation Act of 1990 of the intent to
        repatriate a cultural item in the possession of the Robert Hull
        Flemming Museum of the University of Vermont, Burlington, VT,
        that meets the definitions of "sacred object" and "object of
        cultural patrimony" under section 2 of the act.

        The item consists of a rattle made of a turtle shell and the
        hollow neck and head of the turtle, reinforced with willow,
        serving as a handle.  The tortoise shell rattle was donated to
        the Museum in 1931 by Mr. Henry Schnakenberg, an art collector
        who is thought to have acquired the object in New York City about
        1925-30.  The rattle is designated accession number 1931.10.2 and
        E593.

        The object's cultural affiliation was determined from the donor's
        information in consultation with the Oneida Indian Nation of New
        York.  Representatives of the Oneida Indian Nation of New York
        have identified this item as a tortoise shell rattle.  This
        tortoise shell rattle is needed by present day adherents for
        continued observance of the Great Feather Dance, a sacred ritual
        observance enacted during ceremonies of the traditional
        calendrical round including the Midwinter festival. 
        Representatives of the Oneida Indian Nation of New York also
        affirm that this tortoise shell rattle is owned collectively by
        the members of the Oneida Indian Nation of New York and no
        individual had the right to sell or otherwise alienate the item.

        Based on the above mentioned information, officials of the Robert
        Hull Fleming Museum, University of Vermont 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 this
        tortoise shell rattle and the Oneida Indian Nation of New York. 
        Officials of the Robert Hull Fleming Museum, University of
        Vermont have also determined that this tortoise shell rattle
        meets the definitions of sacred object and object of cultural
        patrimony pursuant to 25 U.s.C. 3001 (3)(C).  Copies of this





        notice have been sent to the the Oneida Indian Nation of New York
        and the Oneida Tribe of Indians of Wisconsin.

        Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to
        be culturally affiliated with this object should contact Ann
        Porter, Director, Robert Hull Fleming Museum, Colchester Avenue
        Burlington, VT 05405, telephone: (802) 656-0750 before March 17,
        1995.  Repatriation of this tortoise shell rattle to the Oneida
        Indian Nation of New York can begin after that date if no
        additional claimants come forward.

        Dated: February 9, 1995





        Francis P. McManamon
        Departmental Consulting Archeologist
        Chief, Archeological Assistance Division
        [FR Doc. 95-3686 Filed 02/14/95; 8:45 am]
        BILLING CODE 4310-70-F

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