[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 102 (Friday, May 24, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 26206]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-13096]



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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Notice of Intent to Repatriate a Cultural Item in the Possession 
of the Olmsted County Historical Society, Rochester, MN

AGENCY: National Park Service

ACTION: Notice

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    Notice is hereby given under the Native American Graves Protection 
and Repatriation Act, 25 U.S.C. 3005 (a)(2), of the intent to 
repatriate a cultural item in the possession of the Olmsted County 
Historical Society, Rochester, MN, which meets the definition of 
``sacred object'' under Section 2 of the Act.
    The cultural item is a birchbark scroll with mnemonic symbols.
    In 1949, this scroll was donated by Dr. A.U. Desjardins to the 
Olmsted County Historical Society. Accession records indicate this 
scroll was made by the Midewiwin Lodge at Cass Lake, on the Leech Lake 
Reservation, MN. There is no further information regarding Dr. 
Desjardins' acquisition of this scroll.
    Representatives of the Leech Lake Band of Chippewa have stated that 
this scroll is needed by traditional Native American religious leaders 
for the practice of traditional Ojibwe religion by present-day 
adherents.
    Based on the above-mentioned information, officials of the Olmsted 
County Historical Society have determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 
3001(3)(C), this cultural item is a specific ceremonial object needed 
by traditional Native American religious leaders for the practice of 
traditional Native American religions by their present-day adherents.  
Officials of the Olmsted County Historical Society have also determined 
that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(2), there is a relationship of shared 
group identity which can be reasonably traced between these items and 
the Leech Lake Band of Chippewa.
    This notice has been sent to officials of the Leech Lake Band of 
Chippewa. Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes 
itself to be culturally affiliated with these objects should contact 
Margot L. Ballard, Curator, Olmsted County Historical Society, 1195 
County Road 22 SW, Rochester, MN 55902, telephone (507) 282-9447 before 
June 24, 1996. Repatriation of these objects to the Leech Lake Band of 
Chippewa may begin after that date if no additional claimants come 
forward.
Dated: May 16, 1996.
Francis P. McManamon,
Departmental Consulting Archeologist.
Chief, Archeology and Ethnography Program.
[FR Doc. 96-13096 Filed 5-23-96; 8:45 am]
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