[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 31 (Wednesday, February 15, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Page 8732]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-3685]



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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Notice of Intent to Repatriate Cultural Items in the Possession 
of The Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, IL


AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior


ACTION: Notice

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    Notice is hereby given under the Native American Graves Protection 
and Repatriation Act of 1990 of the intent to repatriate cultural items 
in the possession of The Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, IL, 
that meet the definition of ``object of cultural patrimony'' under 
section 2 of the act.
    The Little Elk Standing Village Bundle (FM# 71860-7187) consists of 
a hide bundle wrapper with pipe stem and arrows; paint bag; two scalp 
locks; three bundles of braided sweetgrass; sinew; two goose necks; 
swan neck; loon neck; shell; black pipe and stem; ear of corn; pierced 
elkhorn scraper; and penis bone. The bundle was purchased for the Field 
Museum by Assistant Curator James Murie in 1902 and identified as 
Pawnee.
    The Big Black Meteoritic Bundle (FM# 71898) consists of a hide 
bundle wrapper; war club; two pipe stems; pipe and stem; two curved 
bones; pipe tamper; wooden pole for storing a star chart, including a 
metal disc, bag and skin container; start chart; three arrow shafts; 
three birds wrapped in skin; two scalp locks; small mammal skin; 
legging fragments; bird leg with talon; two feathers; stuffed hawk; two 
mammal skins; leather pouch; two bundles of braided sweetgrass; piece 
of leather bound with leather thong; two pouches; bag; piece of string; 
ear of corn; two birds in pouches; thong for tying bundle; owl skin; 
rope, and weasel skin. The bundle was purchased for The Field Museum by 
Assistant Curator James Murie in 1906 and identified as Pawnee.
    Authorized representatives of the Pawnee Tribe of Oklahoma have 
been provided with copies of the museum records and have viewed the 
bundles in person. Representatives of the Pawnee Tribe of Oklahoma 
identify the bundles as two of the twelve major sacred bundles of the 
Pawnee, all of which have ongoing importance central to the Pawnee 
tribe as a whole and which could not have been alienated, appropriated, 
or conveyed by any individual. The Pawnee Tribe of Oklahoma Business 
Council requested repatriation of the bundles in a letter dated April 
18, 1994.
    Based on the above mentioned information, officials of The Field 
Museum have determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (2), there is a 
relationship of shared group identity which can be reasonably traced 
between the two bundles and the Pawnee Tribe of Oklahoma. Officials of 
The Field Museum have also determined that the two bundles meet the 
definition of object of cultural patrimony pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 
(3)(C).
    Authorities of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service have 
been contacted regarding applicability of Federal endangered species 
statutes to this transfer and have concurred in the conclusion that the 
object is not covered due to its age.
    This notice has been sent to officials of the Pawnee Tribe of 
Oklahoma. Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes 
itself to be culturally affiliated with this object should contact 
Jonathan Haas, MacArthur Curator of North American Anthropology, The 
Field Museum of Natural History, Roosevelt Road at Lake Shore Drive, 
Chicago, IL 60605, telephone: (312) 922-9410, extension 641, before 
March 17, 1995. Repatriation of the two bundles to the Pawnee Tribe of 
Oklahoma can begin after that date if no additional claimants come 
forward.
Dated: February 9, 1995
Francis P. MacManamon
Departmental Consulting Archeologist
Chief, Archeological Assistance Division
[FR Doc. 95-3685 Filed 2-14-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-F