" 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
