[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 184 (Thursday, September 21, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57208-57209]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-24253]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Intent to Repatriate Cultural Items from Grand Portage, 
MN in the Possession of the Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul, MN

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 Minnesota Historical Society 
that meet the definition of ``sacred object'' and ``object of cultural 
patrimony'' under Section 2 of the Act.
    This notice is published as part of the National Park Service's 
administrative responsibilities under NAGPRA, 43 CFR 10.2 (c). The 
determinations within this notice are the sole responsibility of the 
museum, institution, or Federal agency that has control of these 
cultural items. The National Park Service is not responsible for the 
determinations within this notice.
    The 11 cultural items consist of 1 woven yarn bag, 2 hand drums, 2 
birchbark scrolls, 2 drumsticks, 2 peace medals, and 2 British flags.
    In 1930, one hand drum and drumstick were collected by Frances 
Densmore at Grand Portage, MN, specifically for the Minnesota 
Historical Society. Accession records identify this hand drum and 
drumstick as a Grand Medicine man's drum and stick. This hand drum has 
been identified by representatives of the Grand Portage Band as having 
been used in ceremonies at Grand Portage, MN.
    In 1931, a drumstick identified as a bent drumstick for use with 
Ojibwe water drums was collected by Frances Densmore at Grand Portage, 
MN, specifically for the Minnesota Historical Society.
    In 1962, two birchbark scrolls were donated to the Minnesota 
Historical Society by William Bushman, then chairman of the Grand 
Portage Band of Chippewa Indians. At the time of their acquisition, it 
was noted that the scrolls were associated with ``Grand Medicine'' or 
``Midewiwin'' and that they had been in the possession of the Bushman 
family for many years.
    In 1984, a Midewiwin woven bag and hand drum were donated to the 
Minnesota Historical Society by Mrs. Evelyn Albinson of Chanhassen, MN. 
Mrs. Albinson's husband, Elmer Albinson, collected the items at Grand 
Portage sometime between 1936-1970. Information with the yarn bag 
indicates that it was used in Midewiwin ceremonies. The drum is 
described in museum records as belonging to Chief Alec (Alex, Alexis) 
Posey, a traditional religious leader of the Grand Portage Band of 
Chippewa Indians.
    Extensive anthropological, ethnographic, oral history, and 
historical documents indicate that these seven cultural items 
associated with Midewiwin practices would be used only by traditional 
religious leaders. In Ojibwe culture, objects used by members of the 
Grand Medicine Society or in Midewiwin practices are part of the 
traditional activities that have religious significance in the 
continued observance of such ceremonies. These seven items have been 
identified by representatives and elders of the Grand Portage Band, 
Minnesota Chippewa Tribe, Minnesota as Midewiwin items necessary for 
the practice of traditional Native American religion by present-day 
adherents.
    Based on the above-mentioned information, officials of the 
Minnesota Historical Society have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 
10.2 (d)(3), these seven 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 Minnesota Historical Society also have 
determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (e), there is a relationship 
of shared group identity that can be reasonably traced between these 
seven items and the Grand Portage Band, Minnesota Chippewa Tribe, 
Minnesota.
    In August, 1979, two British peace medals and two Union Jack flags 
were donated to the Minnesota Historical

[[Page 57209]]

Society by Mrs. John (Helen) Flatte and Mrs. Lucile Cook. Mrs. Flatte 
is the recognized donor of the British peace medals and Mrs. Cook is 
the recognized donor of the two Union Jack flags. Mrs. Flatte was 
married to the last ``hereditary chief,'' Mr. John Flatte.
    Oral history presented by representatives of the Grand Portage 
Band, Minnesota Chippewa Tribe, Minnesota states that ``the medals have 
been passed on as a hereditary assignment, which provided for one 
individual of prominent status recognized as the 'first Chief' or 
'Principal chief' of his own clan.'' The Ojibwe at Grand Portage 
initially were organized into biological families and clans who claimed 
descent from a common mythological ancestor such as the Pike, the 
Moose, the Marten, or the Caribou. Often these bodies functioned as 
bands and were under the acknowledged leadership of a clan chief or 
``Headman.'' In the case of Mr. John Flatte as hereditary chief, this 
is recognized as an affinity or consanguinity relationship with the 
Maymaushkowaush (Crane Clan) family. These peace medals and flags are 
the Grand Portage Band's communal property, and no individual had the 
right to alienate or transfer these cultural items. In 1979, the people 
of the Grand Portage Band were unaware that these peace medals and 
flags had been presented to and received by the Minnesota Historical 
Society.
    Based on the above-mentioned information, officials of the 
Minnesota Historical Society have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 
10.2 (d)(4), these four 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 Minnesota Historical Society also have 
determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (e), there is a relationship 
of shared group identity that can be reasonably traced between these 
four items and the Grand Portage Band, Minnesota Chippewa Tribe, 
Minnesota.
    This notice has been sent to officials of the Grand Portage Band 
and the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe, Minnesota. Representatives of any 
other Indian tribe that believes itself to be culturally affiliated 
with these objects should contact Marcia G. Anderson, Head of Museum 
Collections/Chief Curator, Minnesota Historical Society, 345 Kellogg 
Boulevard West, St. Paul, MN 55102-1906, telephone (651) 296-0150, 
before October 23, 2000. Repatriation of these objects to the Grand 
Portage Band, Minnesota Chippewa Tribe, Minnesota may begin after that 
date if no additional claimants come forward.

    Dated: September 6, 2000.
John Robbins,
Assistant Director, Cultural Resources Stewardship and Partnerships.
[FR Doc. 00-24253 Filed 9-20-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-F