[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 84 (Wednesday, May 3, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20615-20616]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-08879]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-23159; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]


Notice of Intent To Repatriate Cultural Items: Robert S. Peabody 
Museum of Archaeology, Phillips Academy, Andover, MA

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Robert S. Peabody Museum of Archaeology, 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. 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 Robert S. Peabody Museum of Archaeology. 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 Robert S. Peabody Museum of 
Archaeology at the address in this notice by June 2, 2017.

ADDRESSES: Dr. Ryan J. Wheeler, Director, The Robert S. Peabody Museum 
of Archaeology, Phillips Academy, 180 Main Street, Andover, MA 01810, 
(978) 749-4494, 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 Robert S. Peabody Museum of Archaeology, Andover, MA, 
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 Native 
American cultural items. The National Park Service is not responsible 
for the determinations in this notice.

History and Description of the Cultural Items

    About August 1909, seven items of cultural and spiritual 
significance were removed from the White Earth Reservation in Becker 
County, MN, by Warren K. Moorehead, Curator of the Robert S. Peabody 
Museum of Archaeology. The seven sacred objects are one owl feather war 
flag (144/18739) made by Ne-gah-ne-bin-ace in the mid-nineteenth 
century and presented to Moorehead by Me-shuck-ke-gee-shig and Mah-in-
gonce; one beaded altar cloth (144/18737); one circular soapstone pipe 
and associated wooden stem (42293) that had been smoked by Way-ge-chaw-
bow-e-quay; two beaded buckskin bags (144/18722 and 144/18721); and one 
pipe stem with pileated woodpecker skull and feathers (144/

[[Page 20616]]

18729) and one associated inlaid stone pipe (97/7326) that was obtained 
from Kah-gondaush (also known as George Walters).
    On an unknown date, two cultural items were removed from the White 
Earth Reservation in Becker County, MN, by Major John R. Howard, Bureau 
of Indian Affairs Superintendent at the White Earth Agency from 1908 to 
1916, and given to Warren K. Moorehead. The two sacred objects are one 
large granite pipe and associated long wooden stem (object ID number 
29661) that had been made and smoked by Bay-bah-daum-ay-aush in 1898; 
and one small effigy pipe (object ID number 29662) belonging to No-de-
na-qua-um (also known as Temperance Chief).
    In 1908, President Theodore Roosevelt appointed Warren K. Moorehead 
to the Board of Indian Commissioners. After his appointment, Moorehead 
learned from his colleagues at the Smithsonian Institution ``of the 
dreadful situation on a dozen different reservations,'' including the 
White Earth Reservation. He requested permission and funds to 
investigate, which were granted by Commissioner of Indian Affairs 
Francis Leupp. Moorehead spent time at the White Earth Reservation 
investigating various forms of land and other theft during a period of 
significant economic, cultural, and religious oppression. It was during 
this time that numerous objects of cultural and spiritual significance 
were removed from Anishinaabeg communities.
    Consultations were held during a January 12-13, 2017, visit by 
officials from the White Earth Band of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe who 
affirmed cultural affiliation to these nine sacred objects. In a letter 
dated February 14, 2017, the White Earth Band of the Minnesota Chippewa 
Tribe requested the return of the nine sacred objects due to their 
substantial cultural and religious significance.

Determinations Made by the Robert S. Peabody Museum of Archaeology

    Officials of the Robert S. Peabody Museum of Archaeology have 
determined that:
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(C), the nine 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(2), there is a relationship of 
shared group identity that can be reasonably traced between the nine 
sacred objects and the White Earth Band of the Minnesota Chippewa 
Tribe.

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 Dr. Ryan J. Wheeler, Director, The Robert S. 
Peabody Museum of Archaeology, Phillips Academy, 180 Main Street, 
Andover, MA 01810, (978) 749-4494, email [email protected], by June 
2, 2017. After that date, if no additional claimants have come forward, 
transfer of control of the sacred object to the White Earth Band of the 
Minnesota Chippewa Tribe may proceed.
    The Robert S. Peabody Museum of Archaeology is responsible for 
notifying the White Earth Band of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe that 
this notice has been published.

    Dated: March 27, 2017.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2017-08879 Filed 5-2-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4312-52-P