A view of Crane Lake in Minnesota. Photo from Crane Lake Visitor & Tourism Bureau / Facebook
The Bois Forte Band of Chippewa in Minnesota will reclaim artifacts that were uncovered in the 1920s. The 54 items belonged to the Midewiwin, a sacred society. They were found in a cave at Crane Lake and include birch bark scrolls, bird quills and packages of medicine. The collection, known as the Crane Lake Cache, has been held by the Minnesota Historical Society, since 1927. Three items have gone missing, according to a Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act notice that was published in the Federal Register on March 16. "Consultation with the Bois Forte Band (Nett Lake) of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe, Minnesota, confirmed both that these materials fit the definition of sacred objects under NAGPRA, and that Crane Lake was within the boundaries of the traditional property of the Bois Forte Band," the notice states. In addition to the Crane Lake Cache, the Minnesota Historical Society is returning the Nett Lake War Charm Necklace to the tribe. The item was acquired at an auction in 1987, according to the notice. The tribe will be storing the items at the Bois Forte Heritage Museum after they are repatriated. Get the Story:
Sacred items prepared for return to Bois Forte Band of Chippewa (The Minneapolis Star Tribune 4/14) Federal Register Notice:
Notice of Intent To Repatriate Cultural Items: Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul, MN (March 16, 2015)
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