Notice2025-07432
Notice of Intended Repatriation: Berkshire Museum, Pittsfield, MA
Primary source
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Published
April 30, 2025
Issuing agencies
Interior DepartmentNational Park Service
Abstract
In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the Berkshire Museum intends to repatriate a certain cultural item that meets the definition of an object of cultural patrimony and that has a cultural affiliation with the Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations in this notice.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 82 (Wednesday, April 30, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 82 (Wednesday, April 30, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17960-17961]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-07432]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0040023; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]
Notice of Intended Repatriation: Berkshire Museum, Pittsfield, MA
AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and
Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the Berkshire Museum intends to repatriate a
certain cultural item that meets the definition of an object of
cultural patrimony and that has a cultural affiliation with the Indian
Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations in this notice.
DATES: Repatriation of the cultural item in this notice may occur on or
after May 30, 2025.
ADDRESSES: Jason Vivori, Berkshire Museum, 39 South Street, Pittsfield,
MA 01201, telephone (413) 443-7171 Ext. 341, email
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#bfd5c9d6c9d0cdd6ffdddacdd4ccd7d6cddad2caccdacad291d0cdd8"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="49233f203f263b20092b2c3b223a21203b2c243c3a2c3c2467263b2e">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice is published as part of the
National Park Service's administrative responsibilities under NAGPRA.
The determinations in this notice are the sole responsibility of the
Berkshire Museum, and additional information on the determinations in
this notice, including the results of consultation, can be found in the
summary or related records. The National Park Service is not
responsible for the determinations in this notice.
Abstract of Information Available
A total of one cultural item has been requested for repatriation.
The one object of cultural patrimony is a splint basket. The Berkshire
Museum, in consultation with the Stockbridge Munsee Community, has
identified a splint basket and cover, item number C1987.3a,b. residing
in the museum's collection which satisfies the definition of cultural
patrimony. The constructive methodologies employed in weaving the
basket, as well as the potato stamped design adorning its perimeter,
are congruent with the cultural practices of Stockbridge-Munsee Mohican
ancestors preserved in other affiliated examples of Mohican basketry
traditions during the 1800s. Furthermore, museum documentation
designates this basket as a ``Stockbridge Mohican splint basket and
cover, circa 1860.'' Therefore, there is reasonable basis that the
object is culturally affiliated to the Stockbridge-
[[Page 17961]]
Munsee people, that the type of object was collectively harvested, and
that the museum cannot establish right of possession based on lack of
documentation indicating that the free, prior, and informed consent of
the Mohican maker was obtained.
Determinations
The Berkshire Museum has determined that:
<bullet> The one object of cultural patrimony described in this
notice has ongoing historical, traditional, or cultural importance
central to the Native American group, including any constituent sub-
group (such as a band, clan, lineage, ceremonial society, or other
subdivision), according to the Native American traditional knowledge of
an Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization.
<bullet> There is a reasonable connection between the cultural item
described in this notice and the Stockbridge Munsee Community,
Wisconsin.
Requests for Repatriation
Additional, written requests for repatriation of the cultural item
in this notice must be sent to the authorized representative identified
in this notice under ADDRESSES. Requests for repatriation may be
submitted by any lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian
organization not identified in this notice who shows, by a
preponderance of the evidence, that the requestor is a lineal
descendant or a culturally affiliated Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian
organization.
Repatriation of the cultural item in this notice to a requestor may
occur on or after May 30, 2025. If competing requests for repatriation
are received, the Berkshire Museum must determine the most appropriate
requestor prior to repatriation. Requests for joint repatriation of the
cultural item are considered a single request and not competing
requests. The Berkshire Museum is responsible for sending a copy of
this notice to the Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations
identified in this notice and to any other consulting parties.
Authority: Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act,
25 U.S.C. 3004 and the implementing regulations, 43 CFR 10.9.
Dated: April 15, 2025.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2025-07432 Filed 4-29-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-52-P
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