[Federal Register: August 25, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 163)]
[Notices]               
[Page 42918-42919]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr25au09-100]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

 
Notice of Intent To Repatriate Cultural Items: Milwaukee Public 
Museum, Milwaukee, WI

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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    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 Milwaukee Public 
Museum, Milwaukee, WI, that meets the definitions of ``sacred object'' 
or ``objects of cultural patrimony'' 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.
    The three cultural items are one catlinite tube pipe (MPM A14350/ 
3639), one woven bag with water serpent motif (MPM E3170/14), and one 
wooden bowl with handles (MPM E56211/17617). The three cultural items 
are affiliated with the Ottawa tribe (also known as the Odawa) of 
Michigan. All cultural items were acquired in Michigan in an area long 
associated with the Odawa. It would be unlikely that other tribes may 
claim these cultural items since the associated geographical area makes 
a strong case for affiliation. The three items are associated with the 
categories in which they are claimed by the Little Traverse Bay Band of 
Odawa Indians, Michigan.
    The pipe is claimed as a sacred object. In 1913, the pipe was 
donated to the museum by George West, collector and Milwaukee Public 
Museum trustee. It was collected by Walter P. Wyman who obtained it in 
Emmet County, MI. It was found ``by an Indian in 1900 in the field on 
the lake bank of L'Arbor Croche.'' Pipes are considered to be sacred 
objects by Odawa religious leaders.
    The bag is claimed as an object of cultural patrimony. In 1905, the 
museum purchased the cultural item from Mrs. Wilkinson of Beloit, WI. 
In August 1889, the cultural item was collected by George Wilkinson at 
Cross Village, MI, from Mrs. Shartleff. The museum documentation states 
that the bag was given to Mrs. Shartleff's father by an Indian princess 
in 1770. The bag is considered to be an object of cultural patrimony 
since it would have been used in ceremonies to protect the Odawa tribe, 
as a whole. Furthermore, this bag could not have been alienated by a 
single individual since its particular use was for the benefit of the 
entire tribe.
    The bowl is claimed as an object of cultural patrimony. In 1956, 
the bowl was purchased by the museum from the Logan Museum of 
Anthropology, Beloit College, WI. It was originally part of the Albert 
Green Heath Collection. Heath was an avid collector of Native American 
material. According to the Logan Museum records, the bowl was collected 
from Aniquam at Cross Village, MI. The Odawa traditionally had three 
types of wooden bowls: personal bowls, community bowls, and ceremonial 
bowls. This bowl is considered to be a communal bowl that is owned by 
the entire tribe. The bowl is used for special ceremonies and is 
believed by the Odawa to contain manidok (spirits) that are members of 
the community that help the Odawa maintain their cultural beliefs and 
traditions.
    Officials of the Milwaukee Public Museum have determined that, 
pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (3)(C), the one cultural item described 
above 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 
Milwaukee Public Museum also have determined that, pursuant to 25 
U.S.C. 3001 (3)(D), the two cultural items described above have ongoing 
historical, traditional, or cultural importance central to the Native 
American group or culture itself, rather than property owned by an 
individual. Lastly, officials of the Milwaukee Public Museum have 
determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C.

[[Page 42919]]

3001 (2), there is a relationship of shared group identity that can be 
reasonably traced between the sacred object and objects of cultural 
patrimony and the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, Michigan.
    Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to 
be culturally affiliated with the sacred object and objects of cultural 
patrimony should contact Dawn Scher Thomae, Milwaukee Public Museum, 
800 W. Wells St., Milwaukee, WI 53233, telephone (414) 278-6157, before 
September 24, 2009. Repatriation of the sacred object and objects of 
cultural patrimony to the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, 
Michigan may proceed after that date if no additional claimants come 
forward.
    The Milwaukee Public Museum is responsible for notifying the Little 
Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, Michigan that this notice has been 
published.

    Dated: August 12, 2009
Sherry Hutt,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. E9-20484 Filed 8-24-09; 8:45 am]

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