[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 79 (Tuesday, April 27, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 22251-22252]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-08771]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0031781; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]


Notice of Intent To Repatriate Cultural Items: The Trustees of 
Reservations, Boston, MA

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Trustees of Reservations 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 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 Trustees of Reservations. 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 Trustees of Reservations at 
the address in this notice by May 27, 2021.

ADDRESSES: Mark Wilson, Curator, The Trustees of Reservations, 1 
Sergeant Street, P.O. Box 792, Stockbridge, MA 01262, telephone (413) 
298-3239 Ext. 3018, 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 Trustees of Reservations, Boston, MA, that meet the 
definition of 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.

History and Description of the Cultural Items

    In the 1930s, the six cultural items listed in this notice were 
removed from the Stockbridge Munsee Community in Wisconsin. Miss Mabel 
Choate, working through an agent, purchased these objects, along with 
one communion set (which was returned to the Stockbridge Munsee 
Community, Wisconsin in 2005) and a two-volume Bible (which was 
returned to the Stockbridge Munsee Community, Wisconsin in 1989) for 
display at the Mission House Museum in Stockbridge, MA. In 1948, Miss 
Choate donated the Mission House and all its contents, including these 
objects, to The Trustees of Reservations. The six objects of cultural 
patrimony consist of five of Sachem John Quinney's heirlooms and one of 
Sachem Austin Quinney's heirlooms, and are one tobacco pipe stem of 
horn and wood inlaid with mother-of-pearl, (Sachem John Quinney 1800-
1850 (MH.P.16/8538)); one ebony sword/cane with ivory handle, (Sachem 
John Quinney 1850 (MH.P.16/8541)); one pair of buckskin leggings 
adorned with cotton fringe and brass buttons, (Sachem John Quinney 
1830-1850 (MH.P.16/8530 & 8531)); one magnifying glass, (Sachem John 
Quinney 1800-1825 (MH.P.316)); one bell, possibly 18th century (Sachem 
John Quinney (MH.P.16/8535)); and one pipe bowl embossed 1810 (Sachem 
Austin Quinney (MH.P.16/8537)).
    In the 1730s, the Stockbridge Mohicans, now the Stockbridge Munsee 
Community, Wisconsin, accepted the Reverend John Sergeant as a 
Christian missionary in Stockbridge, MA. Except for the bell (which 
might date to the 18th century), these objects date to the 19th 
century, and they all have an association with the Stockbridge Mohicans 
after their removal from Stockbridge, MA, which began in 1785. The 
affiliation of the cultural items with Sachem John Quinney, Sachem 
Austin Quinney, and the Stockbridge Munsee Community is established 
through records held in the archives of the Mission House, a property 
of The Trustees of Reservations. Consultation with representatives of 
the Stockbridge Munsee Community confirm that these heirlooms of Sachem 
John Quinney and

[[Page 22252]]

Sachem Austin Quinney have ongoing historical, traditional, and 
cultural importance central to the Stockbridge Munsee Community, 
Wisconsin.

Determinations Made by The Trustees of Reservations

    Officials of The Trustees of Reservations have determined that:
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(D), the six 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 objects 
of cultural patrimony and the Stockbridge Munsee Community, Wisconsin.

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 Mark Wilson, Curator, The Trustees of 
Reservations, 1 Sergeant Street, P.O. Box 792, Stockbridge, MA 01262 
telephone (413) 298-3239 Ext. 3018, email [email protected], by 
May 27, 2021. After that date, if no additional claimants have come 
forward, transfer of control of the objects of cultural patrimony to 
the Stockbridge Munsee Community, Wisconsin may proceed.
    The Trustees of Reservations is responsible for notifying the 
Stockbridge Munsee Community, Wisconsin that this notice has been 
published.

    Dated: April 19, 2021.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2021-08771 Filed 4-26-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-52-P