[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 22 (Thursday, February 2, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5682-5683]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-1381]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Intent to Repatriate Cultural Items: Denver Museum of 
Nature & Science, Denver, CO

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 cultural items in the possession of the Denver Museum of 
Nature & Science, Denver, CO, that meet the definition of ``sacred 
objects'' 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 in not responsible for the 
determinations in this notice.
    Museum accession, catalogue, and computer records, as well as 
consultation with representatives of the Bois Forte Band (Nett Lake) of 
the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe, Minnesota, indicate that the nine 
cultural objects are Chippewa and are from the Nett Lake Reservation, 
MN.
    In 1961, Mrs. Sidney A. Petersen purchased eight cultural items 
from the estate of Jack Chicag of Nett Lake Reservation, MN. The 
cultural items are sacred objects derived from the Midewiwin Society, 
also known as the Medicine Lodge Society. The eight cultural items are 
1 Midewiwin initiation set consisting of 16 items, including cedar wood 
pieces and a medicine packet, all placed in a cloth tobacco sack; 6 
medicine bags consisting of various animal skins with added cloth, 
ribbon, or beadwork; and 1 incomplete Midewiwin scroll. In 1961, Mrs. 
Petersen also purchased from Mrs. Ray Drift of Nett Lake Reservation, 
MN, one wooden crook handle Midewiwin staff with clusters of ribbons, 
feathers, metal jingles, brass thimbles, and carved deer claws. On 
February 5, 1976, Mrs. Petersen sold the nine cultural items to the 
Crane Foundation. On February 19, 1976, the Crane Foundation, through 
Dr. and Mrs. Frances Crane, gifted the nine cultural items to the 
Denver Museum of Natural History (now Denver Museum of Nature & 
Science).
    The nine cultural items are needed by Midewiwin Society priests to 
conduct ceremonials and are needed by Bois Forte Band (Nett Lake) of 
the Minnesota Chippewa, Minnesota religious leaders for the practice of 
traditional Native American religious ceremonies.
    Officials of the Denver Museum of Nature & Science have determined 
that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (3)(C), the nine Midewiwin cultural 
items described above 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 Denver Museum of Nature & Science 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 nine cultural 
items and the Bois Fort Band (Nett Lake) of the Minnesota Chippewa, 
Minnesota.
    Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to 
be culturally affiliated with the nine cultural items should contact 
Dr. Steven Holen, Head of the Anthropology Department, Denver Museum of 
Nature & Science, 2001 Colorado Blvd., Denver, CO 80205, telephone 
(303) 370-8261, before March 6, 2006. Repatriation of the cultural 
items to the Bois Fort Band (Nett Lake) of the Minnesota Chippewa, 
Minnesota may proceed after that date if no additional claimants come 
forward.
    The Denver Museum of Nature & Science is responsible for notifying 
the Bois Fort Band (Nett Lake) of the Minnesota Chippewa, Minnesota 
that this notice has been published.


[[Page 5683]]


    Dated: January 25, 2006.
C. Timothy McKeown,
Acting Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. E6-1381 Filed 2-1-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-50-S