[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 210 (Friday, October 30, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 58417]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-29094]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Intent to Repatriate a Cultural Item in the Possession 
of the American Museum of Natural History, New York City, NY

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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    Notice is hereby given under the Native American Graves Protection 
and Repatriation Act, 43 CFR 10.10 (a)(3), of the intent to repatriate 
a cultural item in the possession of the American Museum of Natural 
History, New York City, NY which meets the definition of ``object of 
cultural patrimony'' under Section 2 of the Act.
    The cultural item is a wampum string in two pieces. The shell beads 
alternate white and purple, except at one end of the longer strand, 
which is made up of the purple wampum interspersed at two places with a 
single white bead, and with a third white bead at the end.
    In 1910, the American Museum of Natural History purchased this 
wampum string from Mr. Erastus Tefft as part of his collection. Mr. 
Tefft had acquired the string from Mr. M.R. Harrington. According to 
the Museum's documentation, Mr. Harrington had acquired this wampum 
string from Mr. Dan Webster in Oneida, NY. The Museum's records state 
that this wampum string was ``said to represent the office of a chief 
in the Turtle Clan.''
    Based on the Museum's records and consultation with representatives 
of the Oneida Nation of New York, this wampum string is affiliated with 
the Oneida Nation of New York. Consultation evidence presented by 
representatives of the Oneida Nation of New York also indicates that 
this item has ongoing historical, traditional, and cultural importance 
central to the Tribe itself, and no individual had the right to 
alienate it. The Museum's review of this information indicates that it 
is accurate.
    Based on the above mentioned information, officials of the American 
Museum of Natural History have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 
(d)(4), this cultural item has ongoing historical, traditional, and 
cultural importance central to the Tribe itself, and could not have 
been alienated, appropriated, or conveyed by any individual. Officials 
of the American Museum of Natural History have also determined that, 
pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (e), there is a relationship of shared group 
identity which can be reasonably traced between this item and the 
Oneida Nation of New York.
    This notice has been sent to officials of the Oneida Nation of New 
York and the Oneida Tribe of Wisconsin. Representatives of any other 
Indian tribe that believes itself to be culturally affiliated with this 
object should contact Martha Graham, Registrar of Cultural Resources, 
American Museum of Natural History, Department of Anthropology, Central 
Park West at 79th Street, New York, NY 10024-5192; telephone: (212) 
769-5846 before November 30, 1998. Repatriation of this object to the 
Oneida Nation of New York may begin after that date if no additional 
claimants come forward.
Dated: October 22, 1998.
Francis P. McManamon,
Departmental Consulting Archeologist,
Manager, Archeology and Ethnography Program.
[FR Doc. 98-29094 Filed 10-29-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-F