Notice2021-20262
Notice of Intent To Repatriate Cultural Items: Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Primary source
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Published
September 20, 2021
Issuing agencies
Interior DepartmentNational Park Service
Abstract
The Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, Harvard University, in consultation with the appropriate Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations, has determined that the cultural items listed in this notice meet the definition of both sacred objects and objects of cultural patrimony. Lineal descendants or representatives of any Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization not identified in this notice that wish to claim these cultural items should submit a written request to the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology. If no additional claimants come forward, transfer of control of the cultural items to the lineal descendants, Indian Tribes, or Native Hawaiian organizations stated in this notice may proceed.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 86 Issue 179 (Monday, September 20, 2021)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 179 (Monday, September 20, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52178-52179]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2021-20262]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0032608; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]
Notice of Intent To Repatriate Cultural Items: Peabody Museum of
Archaeology and Ethnology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, Harvard
University, in consultation with the appropriate Indian Tribes or
Native Hawaiian organizations, has determined that the cultural items
listed in this notice meet the definition of both sacred objects and
objects of cultural patrimony. Lineal descendants or representatives of
any Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization not identified in this
notice that wish to claim these cultural items should submit a written
request to the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology. If no
additional claimants come forward, transfer of control of the cultural
items to the lineal descendants, Indian Tribes, or Native Hawaiian
organizations stated in this notice may proceed.
DATES: Lineal descendants or representatives of any Indian Tribe or
Native Hawaiian organization not identified in this notice that wish to
claim these cultural items should submit a written request with
information in support of the claim to the Peabody Museum of
Archaeology and Ethnology at the address in this notice by October 20,
2021.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Patricia Capone, Curator and NAGPRA
Director, Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, Harvard
University, 11 Divinity Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138, telephone (617)
496-3702, email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#87f7e4e6f7e8e9e2c7e1e6f4a9efe6f5f1e6f5e3a9e2e3f2"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a5d5c6c4d5cacbc0e5c3c4d68bcdc4d7d3c4d7c18bc0c1d0">[email protected]</span></a>.
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 under the
control of the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, Harvard
University, Cambridge, MA, that meet the definitions of sacred objects
and 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 Native
American cultural items. The National Park Service is not responsible
for the determinations in this notice.
History and Description of the Cultural Items
In 1889, one cultural item was removed from the White Earth Indian
Reservation in northwest Minnesota. Dr. Walter James Hoffman acquired
the item, a birchbark scroll, when studying the Midewiwin on behalf of
the Bureau of American Ethnology. In 1891, the Bureau of American
Ethnology donated the scroll to the United States National Museum,
known today as the National Museum of Natural History. The Peabody
Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology received the birchbark scroll in
1906, as part of an exchange with the National Museum of Natural
History. The scroll measures 36 x 11 cm. and is inscribed with eight
separate figures. Museum documentation describes it as a ``Record of a
song used in gathering of remedies.'' The birchbark scroll has been
identified as both a sacred object and an object of cultural patrimony.
In the early 1900s, one cultural item was removed from the White
Earth Indian Reservation in northwest Minnesota by Albert G. Heath, a
collector and dealer of Native American objects in the early half of
the 1900s. In March of 1952, the Denver Art Museum received the item, a
birchbark scroll, as an anonymous donation through Julius Carlebach, a
prominent New York art dealer. The Peabody Museum of Archaeology and
Ethnology received the scroll in March of 1953, as part of an exchange
with the Denver Art Museum. The birchbark scroll measures 134 x 31 cm.
and is made up of three separate panels that have been hand-stitched
together with fiber twine. Each panel is inscribed with a detailed
scene. Museum documentation describes the birchbark scroll as ``used as
a memory device in rites of the Midewiwin Society.'' The birchbark
scroll has been identified as both a sacred object and an object of
cultural patrimony.
Museum documentation and information obtained through consultation
with representatives from the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe, Minnesota
(White Earth Band), indicate these two cultural items are Ojibwe and
are from the White Earth Indian Reservation, Minnesota. Historical and
ethnographic data indicate that birchbark scrolls are part of the
ritual items of the Midewiwin religion. Consultation evidence specifies
the physical presence of the scrolls at Midewiwin ceremonies, as well
as their importance to Mide practitioners in the dissemination of
cosmological information and ceremonial practices. These two items meet
the definition of sacred objects because they are specific ceremonial
objects required by the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe, Minnesota (White
Earth Band), to properly perform Midewiwin ceremonies.
Historical and ethnographic data demonstrate that these two
cultural items also have ongoing historical, traditional, and cultural
importance central to the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe, Minnesota (White
Earth Band). Consultation evidence indicates that birchbark scrolls are
not owned or alienable by an individual; rather, individuals serve as
caretakers for the scrolls. These caretakers serve as custodians of the
community knowledge, collective legacy, and heritage contained within
the birchbark scrolls. These two cultural items meet the definition of
objects of cultural patrimony because they have ongoing historical,
traditional, and cultural importance central to the Minnesota Chippewa
Tribe, Minnesota (White Earth Band) for the proper performance of
Midewin ceremonies, and could not have been alienated or conveyed by an
individual.
Determinations Made by the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology,
Harvard University
Officials of the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology,
Harvard University have determined that:
[[Page 52179]]
<bullet> Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(C), the two 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.
<bullet> 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.
<bullet> 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 objects of cultural patrimony and the Minnesota Chippewa
Tribe, Minnesota (White Earth Band).
Additional Requestors and Disposition
Lineal descendants or representatives of any Indian Tribe or Native
Hawaiian organization not identified in this notice that wish to claim
these cultural items should submit a written request with information
in support of the claim to Patricia Capone, Peabody Museum of
Archaeology and Ethnology, Harvard University, 11 Divinity Avenue,
Cambridge, MA 02138, telephone (617) 496-3702, email
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#a1d1c2c0d1cecfc4e1c7c0d28fc9c0d3d7c0d3c58fc4c5d4"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="79091a180916171c391f180a5711180b0f180b1d571c1d0c">[email protected]</span></a>, by October 20, 2021. After that date, if no
additional claimants have come forward, transfer of control of the
sacred objects and objects of cultural patrimony to the Minnesota
Chippewa Tribe, Minnesota (White Earth Band) may proceed.
The Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, Harvard University
is responsible for notifying the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe, Minnesota
(White Earth Band) that this notice has been published.
Dated: September 7, 2021.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2021-20262 Filed 9-17-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-52-P
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