Document
Notice of Intended Repatriation: Chicago Historical Society, Chicago, IL
In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the Chicago Historical Society and its affiliate Chicago History Museum ("Chicago Histori...
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
This notice is published as part of the National Park Service's administrative responsibilities under NAGPRA. The determinations in this notice are the sole responsibility of the Chicago Historical Society, and additional information on the determinations in this notice, including the results of consultation, can be found in the summary or related records. The National Park Service is not responsible for the determinations in this notice.
Abstract of Information Available
One cultural item has been requested for repatriation. The unassociated funerary object is a silver armlet purchased by the Chicago Historical Society in 1920 from the Estate of Charles F. Gunther. It is unknown how Gunther acquired the item. The armlet is engraved with the Royal British coat of arms as it was during the reign of George III. There is a grooved border at the top and bottom, and four holes (two on each side) pierced at the back for securing. The item was likely given to a Native American leader by the British for his support during the War of 1812. The item was removed from a mound near Grand Rapids, Michigan. Information shared during tribal consultation indicates this was likely to have been a burial mound.
Determinations
The Chicago Historical Society has determined that:
- The one unassociated funerary object described in this notice is reasonably believed to have been placed intentionally with or near human remains, and is connected, either at the time of death or later, as part of the death rite or ceremony of a Native American culture according to the Native American traditional knowledge of a lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization. The unassociated funerary object has been identified by a preponderance of the evidence as related to human remains, specific individuals, or families, or removed from a specific burial site or burial area of an individual or individuals with cultural affiliation to an Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization.
- There is a reasonable connection between the cultural item described in this notice and the Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi (previously listed as Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians of Michigan).
Requests for Repatriation
Additional, written requests for repatriation of the cultural item in this notice must be sent to the authorized representative identified in this notice under
ADDRESSES
. Requests for repatriation may be submitted by any lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization not identified in this notice who shows, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the requestor is a lineal descendant or a culturally affiliated Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization.
Repatriation of the cultural item in this notice to a requestor may occur on or after June 11, 2026. If competing requests for repatriation are received, the Chicago Historical Society must determine the most appropriate requestor prior to repatriation. Requests for joint repatriation of the cultural item are considered a single request and not competing requests. The Chicago Historical Society is responsible for sending a copy of this notice to the Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations identified in this notice and to any other consulting parties.
Authority:
Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, 25 U.S.C. 3004 and the implementing regulations, 43 CFR 10.9.
Dated: May 5, 2026.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.