Federal Register / Vol. 60 No. 40 / Wednesday, March 1, 1995 /
          Notices                                        Page 11109 & 11110

          DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

          National Park Service

          Notice of Intent to Repatriate a Cultural Item in the Possession
          of the Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, IL

          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 an item in the possession of the Field Museum of
          Natural History, Chicago, IL, under a compromise of repatriation
          claim. 

          The item is a wampum belt consisting of purple and white shell
          beads woven into a 32" long by 5" wide rectangular panel. The
          beads are placed to form a series of diamond-shaped figures
          inside oblongs. The belt is bound with buckskin with buckskin
          fringe attached at the ends. The belt was purchased by the Field
          Museum from Walter C. Wyman in December 1900 (FM# 68566).  Museum
          records indicate that the belt was originally purchased by Wyman
          from the grandson of Chief Skenandoa on May 8, 1898,
          approximately one year after the chief's death. 

          Authorized representatives of the Oneida Indian Nation of New
          York and the Oneida Tribe of Indians of Wisconsin have been
          provided with copies of museum records and photographs of the
          belt. In a letter dated February 7, 1994, the Oneida Indian
          Nation of New York has identified the belt as the Six Nations
          Council belt and has requested its repatriation as an object
          having ongoing importance central to the tribe itself which could
          not have been alienated, appropriated, or conveyed by any
          individual.

          Based on the above mentioned information, officials of the Field
          Museum 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 belt and the Oneida Indian Nation
          of New York.  Officials of the Field Museum also recognize that
          the belt is of ongoing importance central to the Oneida Indian
          Nation but assert that the museum has right of possession of the
          belt.  The Field Museum however, is willing to return the belt
          under a compromise of repatriation claim.

          The Oneida Tribe of Indians of Wisconsin have also claimed this
          belt in a letter dated October 12, 1994. Representatives of any





          other Indian tribe that believes itself to be culturally
          affiliated with this object should contact Jonathan Haas,
          MacArthur Curator of North American Anthropology, The Field
          Museum of Natural History, Roosevelt Road at Lake Shore Drive,
          Chicago, IL 60605, telephone: (312) 922-9410, extension 641,
          before March 31, 1995.

          Dated: February 23, 1995

          Francis P. McManamon
          Departmental Consulting Archeologist
          Chief, Archeological Assistance Division
          [FR Doc. 95-5043 Filed 2-28-95; 8:45 am]
          BILLING CODE 4310-70-F

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