83 FR 32314 - Notice of Intent To Repatriate Cultural Items: Berkshire Museum, Pittsfield, MA

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 134 (July 12, 2018)

The Berkshire Museum, in consultation with the appropriate Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations, has determined that the cultural item listed in this notice meets the definition of sacred object and object of cultural patrimony. Lineal descendants or representatives of any Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization not identified in this notice that wish to claim this cultural item should submit a written request to the Berkshire Museum. If no additional claimants come forward, transfer of control of the cultural item to the lineal descendants, Indian Tribes, or Native Hawaiian organizations stated in this notice may proceed.

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 134 (Thursday, July 12, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32314-32315]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-14896]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0025701; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]


Notice of Intent To Repatriate Cultural Items: Berkshire Museum, 
Pittsfield, MA

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Berkshire Museum, in consultation with the appropriate 
Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations, has determined that the 
cultural item listed in this notice meets the definition of sacred 
object and object of cultural patrimony. Lineal descendants or 
representatives of any Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization not 
identified in this notice that wish to claim this cultural item should 
submit a written request to the Berkshire Museum. If no additional 
claimants come forward, transfer of control of the cultural item 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 this cultural item should submit a written request with 
information in support of the claim to the Berkshire Museum at the 
address in this notice by August 13, 2018.

ADDRESSES: Jason Vivori, Collections Experience Manager, Berkshire 
Museum, 39 South Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201, telephone (413) 443-7171 
ext. 341, 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 a cultural item under the 
control of the Berkshire Museum, Pittsfield, MA, that meets the 
definitions of sacred objects and 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 Item

    In 1903, one cultural item was removed from Pine Point in Becker 
County, MN, by John K. West, an entrepreneur from western 
Massachusetts, who arrived in Detroit Lakes in 1881 with his wife, Ms. 
Jessie Campbell West. Both individuals spent considerable time in 
Detroit Lakes and other areas within Becker County and acquired 
numerous objects from White Earth Reservation. Shortly after Ms. West's 
death in January 1903, several objects were sent to Massachusetts and 
were acquired by the Berkshire Museum. The one sacred object/object of 
cultural patrimony is described as an ``Ojibwa large drum'' (#C1992.53) 
otherwise referred to as a ``Big Drum'' or ``Manidoo Dewe'igan'' 
(meaning ``Spirit Drum'').
    The Pine Point community, where this particular drum originated, is 
within the boundaries of Becker County on the White Earth Reservation. 
From the creation of the White Earth Reservation in 1867 through the 
mid-1900s, the people of White Earth existed often under great hardship 
due to significant economic, cultural, and religious oppression 
combined with well-documented dispossession of land and other 
resources. Historically, the Big Drum served an important role in 
maintaining peace between communities and such drums continue to hold a 
spiritual and healing role with ceremonies that are still held on the 
White Earth Reservation. In addition, the ongoing historical and 
spiritual importance of these drums is that they are central to the 
White Earth people as a whole and could never have been alienated, 
appropriated, or conveyed by any individual regardless of whether or 
not the individual was a member of the tribe. Thomas Vennum wrote in 
The Ojibwa Dance Drum, ``Because song and

[[Page 32315]]

dance are traditionally considered to be sacred in origin they are for 
Native Americans a form of prayer . . . and because most song is 
accompanied by percussion of some sort--drums more often than not--the 
instruments themselves become sacred through their associations.'' This 
feeling was reaffirmed by the White Earth Band of the Minnesota 
Chippewa Tribe during consultation with the Berkshire Museum. In a 
letter dated April 5, 2017, the White Earth Band of the Minnesota 
Chippewa Tribe requested the return of the Big Drum due to its 
substantial cultural and religious significance.

Determinations Made by the Berkshire Museum

    Officials of the Berkshire Museum 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.
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(D), the one cultural item 
described above has 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 sacred 
object and object of cultural patrimony 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 Jason Vivori, Collections Experience 
Manager, Berkshire Museum, 39 South Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201, 
telephone (413) 443-7171 ext. 341, email [email protected], 
by August 13, 2018. After that date, if no additional claimants have 
come forward, transfer of control of the sacred object and object of 
cultural patrimony to the White Earth Band of the Minnesota Chippewa 
Tribe may proceed.
    The Berkshire Museum is responsible for notifying the White Earth 
Band of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe that this notice has been 
published.

    Dated: June 1, 2018.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2018-14896 Filed 7-11-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4312-52-P