[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 104 (Wednesday, June 1, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Page 31513]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-10806]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Intent to Repatriate a Cultural Item: Berkshire Museum, 
Pittsfield, MA

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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    Notice is here given in accordance with the Native American Graves 
Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), 25 U.S.C. 3005, of the intent 
to repatriate a cultural item in the possession of the Berkshire 
Museum, Pittsfield, MA, that meets the definition of ``sacred object'' 
and ``cultural patrimony'' under 25 U.S.C. 3001.
    This notice is published as part of the National Park Service's 
administrative responsibilities under NAGPRA, 25 U.S.C. 3003 (d)(3). 
The determinations in this notice are the sole responsibility of the 
museum, institution, or Federal agency that has control of the cultural 
items. The National Park Service is not responsible for the 
determinations in this notice.
    The cultural item is a clay pipe bowl. The 4-inch x 1.25-inch pipe 
bowl is a brown-gray ceramic cylindrical tube with a tapered end and 
bent at a 120 degree angle 1 inch from the flared end; both ends of the 
pipe are chipped, revealing dark gray ceramic material with flecks of 
white temper. It was excavated in 1863 from an unknown site in 
Pittsfield, Berkshire County, MA, by S.L. Werden and given to the 
Berkshire Museum on an unknown date. It was found in the collection in 
1992. Tribal representatives identified the clay pipe bowl as an 
instrument belonging to the Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohican Indians 
(now known as the Stockbridge-Munsee Community, Wisconsin). The bowl 
has been dated to the Late Woodland period (circa A.D. 1000-1580).
    Representatives of the Stockbridge-Munsee Community, Wisconsin 
indicated during consultation that this cultural item is a specific 
ceremonial object needed for the continuation of traditions and rituals 
within the tribe. Throughout Mohican Indian history, pipe bowls of this 
type have been used to seal peace treaties between rival groups, as 
religious offerings to higher spirits, and as funerary gifts to the 
deceased.
    Officials of the Berkshire Museum have determined that, pursuant to 
25 U.S.C. 3001 (3)(C), the 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, and that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (3)(D), the cultural 
item has ongoing historical, traditional or cultural importance central 
to the Native American group or culture itself, rather than property 
owned by an individual. Officials of the Berkshire Museum also have 
determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S. C. 3001 (2), there is a 
relationship of shared group identity that can be reasonably traced 
between the sacred object/cultural patrimony and the Stockbridge-Munsee 
Community, Wisconsin.
    Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to 
be culturally affiliated with the sacred object/cultural patrimony 
should contact Nezka Pfeifer, Collections Manager, Berkshire Museum, 39 
South Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201, telephone (413) 443-7171, before 
July 1, 2005. Repatriation of the sacred object/cultural patrimony to 
the Stockbridge-Munsee Community, Wisconsin may proceed after that date 
if no additional claimants come forward.
    The Berkshire Museum is responsible for notifying the Stockbridge-
Munsee Community, Wisconsin that this notice has been published.

    Dated: May 20, 2005.
Paul Hoffman,
Deputy Assistant Secretary, Fish and Wildlife and Parks.
[FR Doc. 05-10806 Filed 5-31-05; 8:45 am]
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