[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 176 (Monday, September 13, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49505-49506]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-23769]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service, Interior.


Notice of Intent to Repatriate Cultural Items in the Possession 
of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin, Madison, WI

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 
cultural items in the possession of the State Historical Society of 
Wisconsin which meet the definition of ``sacred object'' and ``object 
of cultural patrimony'' under Section 2 of the Act.
    The 28 cultural items consist of one cloth wrapper, two cane 
flutes, nine ermine skins, two fire-sets, a gourd rattle, a gourd bowl, 
an iron spear point, three war clubs, a rattle, a quillwork strip, a 
calico bundle containing a bird, a mat wrapper, a packet of roots, a 
buckskin bag, a packet of green paint, and a buckskin wrapper. 
Collectively, these cultural items comprise a Ho-Chunk Stealer Bundle.
    In 1930, Charles Brown, representing the State Historical Society 
of Wisconsin, purchased the Stealer Bundle from John Blackhawk of Black 
River Falls, WI.
    Consultation evidence presented by the Ho-Chunk Nation of Wisconsin 
confirms that all cultural items listed above are used in the Eagle 
Clan Lodge ceremony. Representatives of wa ma nu ka cha bra (Eagle 
Clan) have stated that these items are needed by traditional religious 
leaders for the practice of Native American religion by their present-
day adherents. Representatives of the Ho-Chunk Nation of Wisconsin and 
the Eagle Clan of the Ho-Chunk Nation of Wisconsin have indicated that 
the Stealer Bundle and all associated items are owned communally by the 
clan as a whole and no individual had

[[Page 49506]]

the right to sell or otherwise alienate the Stealer Bundle or and 
associated items.
    Based on the above-mentioned information, officials of the State 
Historical Society of Wisconsin have determined that, pursuant to 43 
CFR 10.2 (d)(3), these 28 cultural items are specific ceremonial 
objects needed by traditional Native American religious leaders for the 
practice of traditional Native American religions by their present-day 
adherents. Officials of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin have 
also determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (d)(4), these 28 cultural 
items have ongoing historical, traditional, and cultural importance 
central to the culture itself, and could not have been alienated, 
appropriated, or conveyed by any individual. Officials of the State 
Historical Society of Wisconsin 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 these items and the Ho-Chunk Nation of 
Wisconsin.
    This notice has been sent to officials of the Ho-Chunk Nation of 
Wisconsin and the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska. Representatives of any 
other Indian tribe that believes itself to be culturally affiliated 
with these objects should contact Ms. Jennifer Kolb, Director, Museum 
Archeology Program, State Historical Society of Wisconsin, 816 State 
Street, Madison, WI 53706; telephone (608) 264-6560; e-mail: 
[email protected] before October 13, 1999. Repatriation of 
these objects to the Ho-Chunk Nation of Wisconsin may begin after that 
date if no additional claimants come forward.

    Dated: August 24, 1999.
Francis P. McManamon,
Departmental Consulting Archeologist,
Manager, Archeology and Ethnography Program.
[FR Doc. 99-23769 Filed 9-10-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-F