[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 86 (Thursday, May 3, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 22247-22248]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-11140]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Inventory Completion for Native American Human Remains 
and Associated Funerary Objects in the Possession of the Milwaukee 
Public Museum, Milwaukee, WI

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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    Notice is hereby given in accordance with provisions of the Native 
American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), 43 CFR 10.9, 
of the completion of an inventory of human remains and associated 
funerary objects in the possession of the Milwaukee Public Museum, 
Milwaukee, WI.
    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 Native 
American human remains and associated funerary objects. The National 
Park Service is not responsible for the determinations within this 
notice.
    A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by Milwaukee 
Public Museum professional staff and contract specialists in physical 
anthropology in consultation with representatives of the Forest County 
Potawatomi Community

[[Page 22248]]

of Wisconsin Potawatomi Indians, Wisconsin.
    In 1877, human remains representing one individual were removed 
from a grave (47-CT-38) on the property of J. Berg, Rantoul, Calumet 
County, WI, by H. H. Hayssen of New Holstein, WI. Mr. Hayssen sold the 
remains and associated funerary objects to the Milwaukee Public Museum 
in 1897. No known individual was identified. The 145 associated 
funerary objects include 19 copper alloy bracelets, copper alloy chains 
with finger rings, ear/hair ornaments of shell beads, thimbles, ermine 
tails, glass beads, chains, coins, silver ornaments, silk and cotton 
clothing fragments with silver ring-and-ball ornaments, German silver 
brooches, glass bead edging, 2 small pocket mirrors, 20 thimbles made 
into hair ornaments, a copper alloy finger ring, red ochre chunks, a 
perforated metal disc, shell beads, a musket ball, a miniature china 
teapot, an iron kettle, a porcelain basin and pitcher, 5 cowry shells, 
glass and shell beads, 6 small beaded bags, a kaolin pipe, and wooden 
matches.
    Historic evidence identifies the J. Berg Farm Site as a known 
historic Potawatomi cemetery. The Potawatomi people abandoned the area 
in or before 1866. The associated funerary objects from this burial can 
be dated to circa 1850-1866.
    At an unknown date prior to 1901, human remains representing one 
individual were removed from an unknown site in Kiel, Manitowoc County, 
WI, by August Stirn. Mr. Stirn donated the remains to the Milwaukee 
Public Museum in 1901. No known individual was identified. No 
associated funerary objects are present.
    The degree of preservation of this individual's hair suggests that 
burial occurred during the half-century prior to disinterment. 
Geographic location of the burial is consistent with the historically 
documented territory of the Potawatomi in the late 19th century.
    In 1916, human remains representing one individual were removed 
from the Camp Thomas Cemetery Site (47-WK-71) on the Ralph Holtz Farm, 
Muskego, Waukesha County, WI, by Rudolph Boettger. Mr. Boettger sold 
the human remains and two associated funerary objects to the Milwaukee 
Public Museum in 1922. He donated an additional associated funerary 
object to the museum in 1947. No known individual was identified. The 
three associated funerary objects are a small copper alloy bucket, a 
small wooden bowl with projecting animal effigy tab, and an iron knife 
blade.
    The associated funerary objects date this burial to circa 1800. The 
date is consistent with historical evidence for Potawatomi occupation 
of the area. The Camp Thomas Cemetery Site is a known Potawatomi 
cemetery and camp utilized until the 1870s.
    Based on cranial morphology, dental traits, and archeological 
context, these three individuals are identified as Native American. The 
geographical locations of the sites and dates of the burials are 
consistent with the historic territory of the Potawatomi people. 
Consultation evidence provided by representatives of the Forest County 
Potawatomi Tribe has identified these three sites as part of the 
Potawatomi's historic territory and verified Potawatomi occupation of 
the area until approximately 1900.
    Based on the above-mentioned information, officials of the 
Milwaukee Public Museum have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 
(d)(1), the human remains listed above represent the physical remains 
of three individuals of Native American ancestry. Officials of the 
Milwaukee Public Museum also have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 
10.2 (d)(2), the 148 objects listed above are reasonably believed to 
have been placed with or near individual human remains at the time of 
death or later as part of the death rite or ceremony. Lastly, officials 
of the Milwaukee Public Museum 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 Native American human remains and 
associated funerary objects and the Forest County Potawatomi Community 
of Wisconsin Potawatomi Indians, Wisconsin; Prairie Band of Potawatomi 
Indians, Kansas; Hannahville Indian Community, Michigan; Citizen 
Potawatomi Nation, Oklahoma; Huron Potawatomi, Inc.; and Pokagon Band 
of Potawatomi Indians of Michigan.
    This notice has been sent to officials of the Forest County 
Potawatomi Community of Wisconsin Potawatomi Indians, Wisconsin; 
Prairie Band of Potawatomi Indians, Kansas; Hannahville Indian 
Community, Michigan; Citizen Potawatomi Nation, Oklahoma; Huron 
Potawatomi, Inc.; and Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians of Michigan. 
Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to be 
culturally affiliated with these human remains and associated funerary 
objects should contact Alex Barker, Anthropology Section Head, 
Milwaukee Public Museum, 800 West Wells Street, Milwaukee, WI 53233, 
telephone (414) 278-2786, before June 4, 2001. Repatriation of the 
human remains and associated funerary objects to the Forest County 
Potawatomi Community of Wisconsin Potawatomi Indians, Wisconsin; 
Prairie Band of Potawatomi Indians, Kansas; Hannahville Indian 
Community, Michigan; Citizen Potawatomi Nation, Oklahoma; Huron 
Potawatomi, Inc.; and Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians of Michigan 
may begin after that date if no additional claimants come forward.

    Dated: April 6, 2001.
John Robbins,
Assistant Director, Cultural Resources Stewardship and Partnerships.
[FR Doc. 01-11140 Filed 5-2-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-F