Notice2022-00227
Notice of Intent To Repatriate Cultural Items: Berkshire Museum, Pittsfield, MA
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
January 10, 2022
Issuing agencies
Interior DepartmentNational Park Service
Abstract
The Berkshire Museum, 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 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 Berkshire Museum. 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 87 Issue 6 (Monday, January 10, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 6 (Monday, January 10, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1185-1186]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-00227]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0033208; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]
Notice of Intent To Repatriate Cultural Items: Berkshire Museum,
Pittsfield, MA
AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Berkshire Museum, 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 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 Berkshire Museum. 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 Berkshire Museum at the
address in this notice by February 9, 2022.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jason Vivori, Berkshire Museum, 39
South Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201, telephone (413) 443-7171 Ext. 341,
email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#e8829e819e879a81a88a8d9a839b80819a8d859d9b8d9d85c6879a8f"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f8928e918e978a91b89a9d8a938b90918a9d958d8b9d8d95d6978a9f">[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 Berkshire Museum, Pittsfield, MA, that meet the
definition of 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 the mid-18th century, two cultural items were removed from
Whahktukuk in Berkshire County, MA. According to museum documentation,
both items were donated to the Berkshire Museum in 1958 by Allen Peck
of Pittsfield. According to the donor, both items had been given to
Israel Dickinson of Pittsfield (1736-1777), his great-great
grandfather, by Sachem John Konkapot of Stockbridge (ca. 1690-1765), a
significant leader in the Stockbridge Munsee Community, Wisconsin. The
two objects of cultural patrimony are one wampum pouch and one pair of
moccasins.
In consultation with the Stockbridge Munsee Community, Wisconsin,
the Berkshire Museum has determined that the date and provenience of
the cultural items reasonably accord with the lives of both John
Konkapot and Israel Dickinson. Consequently, the information in the
possession of the Berkshire Museum shows that Sachem Konkapot was the
caretaker of the pouch and moccasins prior to the donor's great-great
grandfather, Israel Dickinson, coming into possession of them.
The wampum pouch has ongoing historical, traditional, or cultural
importance central to the Native American group or culture itself,
rather than property owned by an individual, and cannot be alienated,
appropriated, or conveyed by an individual regardless of whether or not
the individual is a member of the Indian Tribe. Written histories
establish the wampum pouch as a continuing culturally significant
artifact since at least the eighteenth century. In Stockbridge Past and
Present, or, Records of an Old Mission Station, Hendrick Aupaumut, a
well-known 18th century Stockbridge Mohican historian and diplomat
wrote, ``The Sachem is allowed to keep Mno-ti, or peaceable bag, or bag
of peace. . . In this bag they keep various Squau-tho-won, or belts of
wampum: Also strings; which belts and strings they used to establish
peace and friendship with different nations, and to use them on many
occasions, and passed as coin. In this bag they keep all belts and
strings which they received of their allies of different nations.''
Aupaumut added, ``Another, and important use of the Wampum was its
substitution in the place of writing. The red bead signified blood, the
black or dark colors had a severe meaning, while white denoted peace.
Then ideas could be conveyed by various figures into which It was
wrought, a red hatchet, for instance, readily suggesting the idea of
war. Thus, not only the fact that a treaty had been made, but its terms
could be kept in mind, and the various circumstances in the history of
a nation could be recorded.'' Accordingly, the wampum pouch is
hereditary to the office of the Sachem, allowing the Stockbridge Munsee
Community, Wisconsin to establish treaties with other nations serving
as a literal container of history and oral tradition.
The pair of moccasins also satisfy NAGPRA's definition of cultural
patrimony. They are significant for having belonged to Stockbridge-
Munsee Sachem John Konkapot.
Determinations Made by the Berkshire Museum
Officials of the Berkshire Museum have determined that:
<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
cultural patrimony and the Stockbridge Munsee Community, Wisconsin.
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 Jason Vivori, Berkshire Museum, 39 South
Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201, telephone (413) 443-7171 Ext. 341, email
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#a8c2dec1dec7dac1e8cacddac3dbc0c1dacdc5dddbcdddc586c7dacf"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="274d514e5148554e674542554c544f4e55424a525442524a09485540">[email protected]</span></a>, by February 9, 2022. After that date, if
no additional claimants have come forward, transfer of control of the
objects of cultural patrimony to the Stockbridge Munsee Community,
Wisconsin may proceed.
The Berkshire Museum is responsible for notifying the Stockbridge
Munsee Community, Wisconsin that this notice has been published.
[[Page 1186]]
Dated: January 3, 2022.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2022-00227 Filed 1-7-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-52-P
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