[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 122 (Monday, June 27, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Page 38177]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-13618]



[[Page 38177]]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0034102; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]


Notice of Intent To Repatriate Cultural Items: American Museum of 
Natural History, New York, NY

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The American 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. 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 American 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 American Museum of Natural 
History at the address in this notice by July 27, 2022.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nell Murphy, American Museum of 
Natural History, Central Park West at 79th Street, New York, NY 10024, 
telephone (212) 769-5837, 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 American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY, 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

    In 1912, ethnologist Alanson B. Skinner purchased an insignia of 
peace officer and a peace pipe from John Keshena during a museum 
expedition in Wisconsin. The American Museum of Natural History 
accessioned the two items that same year. The insignia of peace officer 
is over two feet long and consists of thirty-one circular German silver 
ornaments and one heart-shaped silver ornament on harness leather 
embellished with small sections of fur and strips of red and orange 
cloth. At the bottom of the insignia are four metal bell stick pin 
ornaments inscribed with ``Dr. Bell's Pine Tar Honey Cures Coughs,'' 
remnants from an old respiratory cure-all manufactured by the E.E. 
Southerland Medicine Company in Paducah, Kentucky circa 1894. The peace 
pipe consists of two parts, including a red painted stone bowl 
(possibly made of catlinite) with tobacco and paper remnants attached 
to a wooden stem that is more than two feet long and coated in red 
pigment.
    Ms. Kate Keshena contacted the American Museum of Natural History 
and provided genealogical records indicating that she descends from 
Chief Keshena, a 19th century Menominee leader, who was the last peace-
keeping chief of the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin. Chief Keshena 
was the last known chief to have used the insignia and pipe. Skinner 
purchased the two items from John Keshena, Chief Keshena's son.

Determinations Made by the American Museum of Natural History

    Officials of the American Museum of Natural History 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 43 CFR 10.14(b), Ms. Kate Keshena is a lineal 
descendant of Chief Keshena based on genealogical records.

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 Nell Murphy, American Museum of Natural 
History, Central Park West at 79th Street, New York, NY 10024, 
telephone (212) 769-5837, email [email protected], by July 27, 2022. 
After that date, if no additional claimants have come forward, transfer 
of control of the sacred objects to Ms. Kate Keshena may proceed.
    The American Museum of Natural History is responsible for notifying 
Ms. Kate Keshena that this notice has been published.

    Dated: June 10, 2022.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2022-13618 Filed 6-24-22; 8:45 am]
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