[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 11 (Thursday, January 16, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2881-2882]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-00798]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-14642; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]


Notice of Intent To Repatriate Cultural Items: The Field Museum 
of Natural History, Chicago, IL

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Field Museum of Natural History, in consultation with the 
appropriate Indian tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations, has 
determined that the cultural items listed in this notice meet the 
definition of sacred objects and objects of cultural patrimony. Lineal 
descendants or representatives of any Indian tribe or Native Hawaiian 
organization not identified in this notice that wish to claim these 
cultural items should submit a written request to the Field Museum of 
Natural History. If no additional claimants come forward, transfer of 
control of the cultural items to the lineal descendants, Indian tribes, 
or Native Hawaiian organizations stated in this notice may proceed.

DATES: Lineal descendants or representatives of any Indian tribe or 
Native Hawaiian organization not identified in this notice that wish to 
claim these cultural items should submit a written request with 
information in support of the claim to the Field Museum of Natural 
History at the address in this notice by February 18, 2014.

ADDRESSES: Helen Robbins, Repatriation Director, Field Museum of 
Natural History, 1400 South Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60605, 
telephone (312) 665-7317, email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 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 under the 
control of the Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, IL, that meet 
the definition of sacred objects and objects of 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 Native 
American cultural items. The National Park Service is not responsible 
for the determinations in this notice.

[[Page 2882]]

History and Description of the Cultural Item(s)

    The two cultural items are Tlingit ceremonial items collected near 
Juneau, AK, in the mid- to late 1800s.
    In 1902, the Field Museum of Natural History (Field Museum) 
purchased a large collection of Tlingit cultural items from George 
Thornton Emmons known as the Spuhn Collection. It is unknown whether 
Emmons or Carl Spuhn, a manager with the Northwest Trading Company, 
originally acquired the two cultural items. The requested items consist 
of a large wooden box drum painted with the design of a wolf (Wolf 
Drum) and a steel, double-bladed dagger decorated with a design of a 
shark (Shark Dagger). Field Museum records indicate that the Wolf Drum 
was acquired sometime before 1900 from a Chief of the Taku Tribe who 
originally lived at Taku Harbor, AK, and who later moved to Gastineau 
Channel below Juneau. Field Museum records indicate that the Shark 
Dagger was acquired before 1900, and came from the Auk tribe living in 
Juneau, AK. The short upper blade is ornamented as a ground shark which 
was the totemic emblem of the family of the owner. Its eyes and teeth 
are embellished with Abalone shell. The dagger appears to be hafted, in 
part, with copper.
    The cultural affiliation of the Wolf Drum is Taku Tlingit as 
indicated through museum records and consultation with representatives 
of the Central Council of the Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes (Central 
Council). The Central Council has requested the Drum on behalf of the 
Yanyeidi clan of the Taku Kwan. The cultural affiliation of the Shark 
Dagger is Auk Tlingit as indicated by museum records and by 
consultation evidence provided by the Central Council. Museum records 
indicate that the Shark Dagger belonged to the family of a principal 
chief of the Auk tribe living at ``Sin-ta-ka heenee'' (Juneau). The 
Central Council requested the Shark Dagger on behalf of the 
Wooshkeetaan clan of the Auk Kwan.
    The 2 cultural items have been identified as Native American sacred 
objects and objects of cultural patrimony through museum records, 
scholarly publications, primary documents, and consultation information 
provided by representatives of Central Council.

Determinations Made by the Field Museum

    Officials of the Field Museum have determined that:
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(C), the two 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.
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(D), the two cultural items 
described above have ongoing historical, traditional, or cultural 
importance central to the Native American group or culture itself, 
rather than property owned by an individual.
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(2), there is a relationship of 
shared group identity that can be reasonably traced between the sacred 
objects and objects of cultural patrimony and the Central Council of 
the Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes.

Additional Requestors and Disposition

    Lineal descendants or representatives of any Indian tribe or Native 
Hawaiian organization not identified in this notice that wish to claim 
these cultural items should submit a written request with information 
in support of the claim to Helen Robbins, Repatriation Director, Field 
Museum of Natural History, 1400 South Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 
60605, telephone (312) 665-7317, email [email protected], by 
February 18, 2014. After that date, if no additional claimants have 
come forward, transfer of control of the sacred objects and objects of 
cultural patrimony to the Central Council of the Tlingit & Haida Indian 
Tribes may proceed.
    The Field Museum is responsible for notifying the Central Council 
of the Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes and the Douglas Indian 
Association.

    Dated: December 9, 2013.
Melanie O'Brien,
Acting Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2014-00798 Filed 1-15-14; 8:45 am]
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