[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 182 (Tuesday, September 22, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48287-48288]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-22781]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Intent to Repatriate a Cultural Item: Illinois State 
Museum, Springfield, IL

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 Illinois State 
Museum, Springfield, IL, that meets the definition of a ``sacred 
object'' 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 determination in this notice is the sole responsibility of the 
museum, institution, or Federal agency that has control of the cultural 
item. The National Park Service is not responsible for the 
determination in this notice.
    In 1955, the Logan Museum of Anthropology, Beloit College, Beloit, 
WI, acquired a large collection of objects from the estate of Albert 
Green Heath (1888-1953). In 1956, the Illinois State Museum purchased 
some cultural objects, including a wooden bowl, from the Heath 
Collection at the Logan Museum. Heath had lived in Chicago, but also 
had a second home in Harbor Springs, Emmett County, MI, near the Odawa 
community of Cross Village. Heath was well-known to members of the 
Odawa community, and he purchased a number of objects from various 
members of the Odawa community in the early 20th century.
    The wooden bowl (ISM catalog number 1956-0001-804982) is round and 
relatively shallow, with a flattened base, rounded sides, and a flat 
rim or lip. It measures 20.2 cm in diameter, 5.5 cm high, and its rim 
is 8 mm thick. The base, rim, and inner walls are smooth, but the outer 
walls are marked with numerous vertical grooved lines that extend from 
the rim to the base. These

[[Page 48288]]

lines appear to be either decorations or residual tool marks from 
shaping the outer surface of the bowl. A series of shallow, parallel 
grooves evident on the bowl's base and inner walls may represent lathe 
marks, but this has not been confirmed. Use-wear on the inner floor of 
the bowl consists of numerous randomly oriented incised grooves formed 
by metal knives. Presumably these markings were incidental to cutting 
food or other soft material. The natural grain of the wood is somewhat 
obscured by age discoloration, but experienced woodworkers have 
concluded that it was made from a maple burl.
    Heath's collection records state that the wooden bowl is Ottawa 
(Odawa) and was assigned a catalog number (No. 785). According to 
Heath, the bowl was purchased from Amos Assineway in Emmet County, MI, 
in 1915. Heath described the bowl as being ``rare,'' ``very old,'' and 
``in fine condition.'' Amos Assineway's name has not been found in 
early 20th century census records for Emmet County, but the Assineway 
or Assinaway family name is well-represented in the Odawa community.
    Historic and geographic evidence indicates that the Odawa Indians 
have occupied the area of Emmet County, MI, since the 18th century. The 
Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, Michigan still reside in 
the area today. The Odawa traditionally had three types of wooden 
bowls: personal bowls, community bowls, and ceremonial bowls. 
Ceremonial/sacred bowls were used for special ceremonies (e.g., Feast 
for the Dead) and are believed by the Odawa to contain manidok 
(spirits) that are members of the community and help the Odawa maintain 
their cultural beliefs and traditions. Consultation with tribal 
representatives led to the Odawa identification of the bowl as a sacred 
object that is needed by traditional religious leaders for ongoing 
ceremonies.
    Officials of the Illinois State Museum reasonably believe that, 
pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (3)(B), the cultural item described above is 
needed by traditional Native American religious leaders for the 
practice of traditional Native American religions by their present-day 
adherents. Officials of the Illinois State 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 
and the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, Michigan.
    Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believe their tribe 
is culturally affiliated with the sacred object should contact Robert 
Warren, NAGPRA Coordinator, Illinois State Museum, 1011 East Ash St., 
Springfield, IL 62703-3500, telephone (217) 524-7903, before October 
22, 2009. Repatriation of the sacred object to the Little Traverse Bay 
Bands of Odawa Indians, Michigan may proceed after that date if no 
additional claimants come forward.
    The Illinois State Museum is responsible for notifying the Grand 
Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, Michigan; Little River 
Band of Ottawa Indians, Michigan; Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa 
Indians, Michigan; and Ottawa Tribe of Oklahoma, that this notice has 
been published.

    Dated: September 1, 2009
Sherry Hutt,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. E9-22781 Filed 9-21-09; 8:45 am]
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