[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 40 (Wednesday, March 1, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11109-11110]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-5043]



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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service


Notice of Intent To Repatriate a Cultural Item 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 an item in the 
possession of the Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, IL, under a 
compromise of repatriation claim.
    The item is a wampum belt consisting of purple and white shell 
beads woven into a 32'' long by 5'' wide rectangular panel. The beads 
are placed to form a series of diamond-shaped figures inside oblongs. 
The belt is bound with buckskin with buckskin fringe attached at the 
ends. The belt was purchased by the Field Museum from Walter C. Wyman 
in December 1900 (FM# 68566). Museum records indicate that the belt was 
originally purchased by Wyman from the grandson of Chief Skenandoa on 
May 8, 1898, approximately one year after the chief's death.
    Authorized representatives of the Oneida Indian Nation of New York 
and the Oneida Tribe of Indians of Wisconsin have been provided with 
copies of museum records and photographs of the belt. In a letter dated 
February 7, 1994, the Oneida Indian [[Page 11110]] Nation of New York 
has identified the belt as the Six Nations Council belt and has 
requested its repatriation as an object having ongoing importance 
central to the tribe itself which could not have been alienated, 
appropriated, or conveyed by any individual.
    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 this belt and the Oneida Indian Nation of New York. Officials 
of the Field Museum also recognize that the belt is of ongoing 
importance central to the Oneida Indian Nation but assert that the 
museum has right of possession of the belt. The Field Museum however, 
is willing to return the belt under a compromise of repatriation claim.
    The Oneida Tribe of Indians of Wisconsin have also claimed this 
belt in a letter dated October 12, 1994. 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 31, 1995.

    Dated: February 23, 1995.
Francis P. McManamon,
Departmental Consulting Archeologist,
Chief, Archeological Assistance Division.
[FR Doc. 95-5043 Filed 2-28-95; 8:45 am]
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