[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 62 (Tuesday, April 1, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15537-15538]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-8215]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Notice of Intent to Repatriate Cultural Items in the Possession 
of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin, Madison, WI

AGENCY: National Park Service

ACTION: Notice

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    Notice is hereby given under the Native American Graves Protection 
and Repatriation Act, 25 U.S.C. 3005 (a)(2), of the intent to 
repatriate cultural items in the possession of the State Historical 
Society of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, which meet the definition of 
``sacred object'' and `` object of cultural patrimony'' under Section 2 
of the Act.
    The eighteen cultural items consist of one drum, four drumlegs, two 
drumsticks, two silver brooches, one featherbelt, one featherbox, two 
pipes with stems, one pipe bag, two pouches, and one tobacco bowl. The 
drum is constructed from a wooden barrel covered with rawhide painted 
on the top side. The sides of the drum have an attached cloth skirt, 
fur trim, floral beaded belt, and four beaded tabs with designs of 
human hands, human figures, silver brooches, and tin jingles. The four 
drumlegs are carved wood with portions wrapped with beadwork. The two 
drumsticks are wood carved in a hoop style with wrapped fur and 
beadwork. The featherbelt consists of a leather belt with beaded wool 
drops and attached rows of golden eagle and flicker feathers. The 
feather box is wood with bas relief designs carved on the lid. The 
first pipe has a round wooden stem wrapped with beadwork, and the 
pipebowl is red pipstone with lead inlay. The second pipe is a flat 
wooden stem with wrapped beadwork, and the pipebowl is black pipestone. 
The pipebag is leather with floral beadwork on one side. The two 
pouches are leather with partially beaded floral designs. The tobacco 
bowl is a carved walnut bowl.
    Between 1914-1952, Mr. H. L. Mumm and later his heirs operated 
several trading posts at various locations in northern Wisconsin, 
including Minocqua, a town adjacent to the Lac Du Flambeau reservation. 
In 1954, the Banta Publishing Company purchased these cultural items 
from Mrs. Odie Mumm Abel and Mr. Edward F. Mumm, heirs of the original 
collector, Mr. H. L. Mumm and donated them to the State Historical 
Society of Wisconsin. Consultation evidence presented by 
representatives of the Lac Du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa 
confirm that all cultural items listed above are used in the Big Drum 
ceremony. Representatives of the Chi-Dewei'igan, or Big Drum Society, 
have stated that these items are needed by traditional religious 
leaders for the practice of Native American religion by their present 
day adherents. Representatives of the Lac Du Flambeau Band of Lake 
Superior Chippewa and the Chi-Dewei'igan Society also state that the 
Big Drum and all associated items are owned communally, and no 
individual had the right to sell or otherwise alienate these cultural 
items. Further, representatives of both the Lac du Flambeau Chi-
Dewei'igan and the Forest County Potawatami Chi-Dewei'igan have stated 
that this particular drum and associated items was in use at Lac du 
Flambeau before their accession into the State Historical Society of 
Wisconsin. 
    Based on the above-mentioned information, officials of the State 
Historical Society of Wisconsin have determined that, pursuant to 25 
U.S.C. 3001 (3)(C), these eighteen cultural items are specific 
ceremonial objects needed by traditional Native American religious 
leaders for the practice of traditional Native American religions by 
their present-day adherents. Officials of the State Historical Society 
of Wisconsin have also determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 
(3)(D), these eighteen cultural items have ongoing

[[Page 15538]]

historical, traditional, and cultural importance central to the culture 
itself, and could not have been alienated, appropriated, or conveyed by 
any individual. Finally, officials of the State Historical Society of 
Wisconsin have determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(2), there is 
a relationship of shared group identity which can be reasonably traced 
between these items and the Lac Du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior 
Chippewa.
    Authorities of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service have 
been contacted regarding applicability of Federal endangered species 
statutes to this transfer and have concurred in the conclusion that the 
object is not covered due to its age.
    This notice has been sent to officials of the Forest County 
Potawatami of Wisconsin and the Lac Du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior 
Chippewa. Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes 
itself to be culturally affiliated with these objects should contact 
David Wooley, Curator of Anthropology, State Historical Society of 
Wisconsin, 816 State Street, Madison, WI 53706, telephone (608) 264-
6574 before May 1, 1997. Repatriation of these objects to the Lac Du 
Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa may begin after that date if no 
additional claimants come forward.
Dated: March 26, 1997.
Veletta Canouts,
Acting Departmental Consulting Archeologist,
Assistant Manager, Archeology and Ethnography Program.
[FR Doc. 97-8215 Filed 3-31-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-F