[Federal Register: June 17, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 117)]
[Notices]
[Page 34315-34316]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr17jn08-71]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
Notice of Intent To Repatriate Cultural Items: The Cleveland
Museum of Natural History, Cleveland, OH
AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice.
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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 in the possession of The Cleveland Museum
of Natural History, Cleveland, OH, that meet the definition of
``unassociated funerary object'' and ``sacred object'' 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 cultural
items. The National Park Service is not responsible for the
determinations in this notice.
In 1956, cultural items were acquired by The Cleveland Museum of
Natural History from the Logan Museum, Beloit College, Beloit, WI. The
two cultural items are one ceremonial wood bowl (CMNH 12888/CMNH 19888)
and one silver brooch (CMNH 08169). Representatives of the Little
Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, Michigan attributed the cultural
items as Ottawa/Odawa.
The bowl is well-made with a carved rim and knobs. The locality and
date for the bowl are recorded as ``Michigan, Emmet County, early
1900's.'' In Odawa spiritual practices, ceremonial bowls have a wide
range of use and are utilized in many different ceremonial activities.
It is believed that manidok (spirits) reside in each individual bowl
and are a part of the community. It is the Tribe's continued
responsibility to take care of these bowls and use them in ceremonies
for sacred reasons, as such Traditional Religious leaders of the Little
Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, Michigan need to use these bowls
in ceremonies for the Tribe.
The one silver brooch (CMNH 08169) is made from German silver in
the shape of a disk with punched designs of circles, stars, and
ellipses. The locality and date for the brooch are listed as
``Michigan, Emmet County, late 1800's.'' Multiple archeological sites
that are Native American burial sites or cemeteries in Michigan from
the Historic Period contain an array of European trade goods, such as
knives, glass beads and silver brooches (Halsey, 286). It is believed
that the silver brooch in the possession of museum came from an Odawa
grave based on similar objects found in other Odawa graves from
Michigan. In addition, it is believed that the brooch is a grave item
because it has been recorded as a Native American item and not just
simply a piece of silver since the designation of such simple items to
be of Native origin usually originates because it came from a Native
American burial.
Officials of The Cleveland Museum of Natural History have
determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (3)(B), the one cultural
item described above is reasonably believed to have been placed with or
near individual human remains at the time of death or later as part of
the death rite or ceremony and is believed, by a preponderance of the
evidence, to have been removed from a specific burial site of a Native
American individual. Officials of The Cleveland Museum of Natural
History also have determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (3)(C),
the one cultural item described above is a specific ceremonial object
needed by traditional Native American religious leaders for the
practice of traditional Native American religions by their present-day
adherents. Lastly, officials of The Cleveland Museum of Natural History
have determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (2), there is a
relationship of shared group identity that can be reasonably traced
between the unassociated funerary object and the sacred object and the
Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, Michigan.
[[Page 34316]]
Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to
be culturally affiliated with the unassociated funerary object and/or
sacred object should contact Adriann Balok, Curator of Cultural
Anthropology, The Cleveland Museum of Natural History, 1 Wade Oval Dr.,
University Circle, Cleveland, OH 44106, telephone (216) 231-4600, ext.
3294, before July 17, 2008. Repatriation of the unassociated funerary
object and sacred object to the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa
Indians, Michigan may proceed after that date if no additional
claimants come forward.
The Cleveland Museum of Natural History is responsible for
notifying the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, Michigan that
this notice has been published.
Dated: May 12, 2008.
Sherry Hutt,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. E8-13624 Filed 6-16-08; 8:45 am]
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