65 FR 184 pgs. 57208-57209 - Notice of Intent to Repatriate Cultural Items from GrandPortage, MN in the Possession of the Minnesota HistoricalSociety, St. Paul, MN
Type: NOTICEVolume: 65Number: 184Pages: 57208 - 57209
FR document: [FR Doc. 00-24253 Filed 9-20-00; 8:45 am]
Agency: Interior Department
Sub Agency: National Park Service
Official PDF Version: PDF Version
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
Notice of Intent to Repatriate Cultural Items from GrandPortage, MN in the Possession of the Minnesota HistoricalSociety, St. Paul, MN
AGENCY:
National Park Service, Interior.
ACTION:
Notice.
Notice is hereby given under the Native American GravesProtection and Repatriation Act, 43 CFR 10.10 (a)(3), of theintent to repatriate cultural items in the possession of theMinnesota Historical Society that meet the definition of "sacredobject" and "object of cultural patrimony" under Section 2 ofthe Act.
This notice is published as part of the National ParkService's administrative responsibilities under NAGPRA, 43 CFR10.2 (c). The determinations within this notice are the soleresponsibility of the museum, institution, or Federal agency thathas control of these cultural items. The National Park Service isnot responsible for the determinations within this notice.
The 11 cultural items consist of 1 woven yarn bag, 2 handdrums, 2 birchbark scrolls, 2 drumsticks, 2 peace medals, and 2British flags.
In 1930, one hand drum and drumstick were collected byFrances Densmore at Grand Portage, MN, specifically for theMinnesota Historical Society. Accession records identify thishand drum and drumstick as a Grand Medicine man's drum and stick.This hand drum has been identified by representatives of theGrand Portage Band as having been used in ceremonies at GrandPortage, MN.
In 1931, a drumstick identified as a bent drumstick for usewith Ojibwe water drums was collected by Frances Densmore atGrand Portage, MN, specifically for the Minnesota HistoricalSociety.
In 1962, two birchbark scrolls were donated to the MinnesotaHistorical Society by William Bushman, then chairman of the GrandPortage Band of Chippewa Indians. At the time of theiracquisition, it was noted that the scrolls were associated with"Grand Medicine" or "Midewiwin" and that they had been in thepossession of the Bushman family for many years.
In 1984, a Midewiwin woven bag and hand drum were donated tothe Minnesota Historical Society by Mrs. Evelyn Albinson ofChanhassen, MN. Mrs. Albinson's husband, Elmer Albinson,collected the items at Grand Portage sometime between 1936-1970.Information with the yarn bag indicates that it was used inMidewiwin ceremonies. The drum is described in museum records asbelonging to Chief Alec (Alex, Alexis) Posey, a traditionalreligious leader of the Grand Portage Band of Chippewa Indians.
Extensive anthropological, ethnographic, oral history, andhistorical documents indicate that these seven cultural itemsassociated with Midewiwin practices would be used only bytraditional religious leaders. In Ojibwe culture, objects used bymembers of the Grand Medicine Society or in Midewiwin practicesare part of the traditional activities that have religioussignificance in the continued observance of such ceremonies.These seven items have been identified by representatives andelders of the Grand Portage Band, Minnesota Chippewa Tribe,Minnesota as Midewiwin items necessary for the practice oftraditional Native American religion by present-day adherents.
Based on the above-mentioned information, officials of theMinnesota Historical Society have determined that, pursuant to 43CFR 10.2 (d)(3), these seven cultural items are specificceremonial objects needed by traditional Native Americanreligious leaders for the practice of traditional Native Americanreligions by their present-day adherents. Officials of theMinnesota Historical Society also have determined that, pursuantto 43 CFR 10.2 (e), there is a relationship of shared groupidentity that can be reasonably traced between these seven itemsand the Grand Portage Band, Minnesota Chippewa Tribe, Minnesota.
In August, 1979, two British peace medals and two Union Jackflags were donated to the Minnesota Historical Society by Mrs.John (Helen) Flatte and Mrs. Lucile Cook. Mrs. Flatte is therecognized donor of the British peace medals and Mrs. Cook is therecognized donor of the two Union Jack flags. Mrs. Flatte wasmarried to the last "hereditary chief," Mr. John Flatte.
Oral history presented by representatives of the GrandPortage Band, Minnesota Chippewa Tribe, Minnesota states that"the medals have been passed on as a hereditary assignment,which provided for one individual of prominent status recognizedas the 'first Chief' or 'Principal chief' of his own clan." TheOjibwe at Grand Portage initially were organized into biologicalfamilies and clans who claimed descent from a common mythologicalancestor such as the Pike, the Moose, the Marten, or the Caribou.Often these bodies functioned as bands and were under theacknowledged leadership of a clan chief or "Headman." In thecase of Mr. John Flatte as hereditary chief, this is recognizedas an affinity or consanguinity relationship with theMaymaushkowaush (Crane Clan) family. These peace medals and flagsare the Grand Portage Band's communal property, and no individualhad the right to alienate or transfer these cultural items. In1979, the people of the Grand Portage Band were unaware thatthese peace medals and flags had been presented to and receivedby the Minnesota Historical Society.
Based on the above-mentioned information, officials of theMinnesota Historical Society have determined that, pursuant to 43CFR 10.2 (d)(4), these four cultural items have ongoinghistorical, traditional, and cultural importance central to theculture itself, and could not have been alienated, appropriated,or conveyed by any individual. Officials of the MinnesotaHistorical Society also have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR10.2 (e), there is a relationship of shared group identity thatcan be reasonably traced between these four items and the GrandPortage Band, Minnesota Chippewa Tribe, Minnesota.
This notice has been sent to officials of the Grand PortageBand and the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe, Minnesota. Representativesof any other Indian tribe that believes itself to be culturallyaffiliated with these objects should contact Marcia G. Anderson,Head of Museum Collections/Chief Curator, Minnesota HistoricalSociety, 345 Kellogg Boulevard West, St. Paul, MN 55102-1906,telephone (651) 296-0150, before October 23, 2000.Repatriation of these objects to the Grand Portage Band,Minnesota Chippewa Tribe, Minnesota may begin after that date ifno additional claimants come forward.
Dated: September 6, 2000.
John Robbins,
Assistant Director, Cultural Resources Stewardship andPartnerships.
[FR Doc. 00-24253 Filed 9-20-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-F