Repatriation

" The two cultural items are Tlingit ceremonial items collected near 
Juneau, AK, in the mid- to late 1800s.
    In 1902, the Field Museum of Natural History (Field Museum) 
purchased a large collection of Tlingit cultural items from George 
Thornton Emmons known as the Spuhn Collection. It is unknown whether 
Emmons or Carl Spuhn, a manager with the Northwest Trading Company, 
originally acquired the two cultural items. The requested items consist 
of a large wooden box drum painted with the design of a wolf (Wolf 
Drum) and a steel, double-bladed dagger decorated with a design of a 
shark (Shark Dagger). Field Museum records indicate that the Wolf Drum 
was acquired sometime before 1900 from a Chief of the Taku Tribe who 
originally lived at Taku Harbor, AK, and who later moved to Gastineau 
Channel below Juneau. Field Museum records indicate that the Shark 
Dagger was acquired before 1900, and came from the Auk tribe living in 
Juneau, AK. The short upper blade is ornamented as a ground shark which 
was the totemic emblem of the family of the owner. Its eyes and teeth 
are embellished with Abalone shell. The dagger appears to be hafted, in 
part, with copper.
    The cultural affiliation of the Wolf Drum is Taku Tlingit as 
indicated through museum records and consultation with representatives 
of the Central Council of the Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes (Central 
Council). The Central Council has requested the Drum on behalf of the 
Yanyeidi clan of the Taku Kwan. The cultural affiliation of the Shark 
Dagger is Auk Tlingit as indicated by museum records and by 
consultation evidence provided by the Central Council. Museum records 
indicate that the Shark Dagger belonged to the family of a principal 
chief of the Auk tribe living at ``Sin-ta-ka heenee'' (Juneau). The 
Central Council requested the Shark Dagger on behalf of the 
Wooshkeetaan clan of the Auk Kwan.
    The 2 cultural items have been identified as Native American sacred 
objects and objects of cultural patrimony through museum records, 
scholarly publications, primary documents, and consultation information 
provided by representatives of Central Council."

http://www.nps.gov/history/NAGPRA/FED_NOTICES/NAGPRADIR/nir0648.html 

 History and Description of the Cultural Item(s)

    The one sacred object and object of cultural patrimony is a Chilkat 
blanket (27.92.1/AE 580). Rochester Museum & Science Center catalog 
records show that on January 1, 1927, the Rochester Museum & Science 
Center (then Rochester Museum of Arts and Sciences) purchased the 
Chilkat blanket from John G. Worth of New York City,

[[Page 50109]]

NY. The records indicate that the Chilkat blanket is from Alaska but 
contain no additional provenience information.
    Based on consultation with the Central Council of the Tlingit & 
Haida Indian Tribes, the Rochester Museum & Science Center reasonably 
believes this cultural item is culturally affiliated with the Tlingit. 
Furthermore, the museum was also informed during consultation that the 
object is considered to be both a sacred object and an object of 
cultural patrimony. 

http://www.nps.gov/history/NAGPRA/FED_NOTICES/NAGPRADIR/nir0637.html