Native American human remains and associated funerary objects: Pratt Museum, Homer, AK; inventory from Chugachik Island and Togiak, AK,

[Federal Register: April 20, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 75)]

[Notices]

[Page 19514]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr20ap98-103]

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

Notice of Inventory Completion for Native American Human Remains from Chugachik Island and Togiak, AK in the Possession of the Pratt Museum, Homer, AK

AGENCY: National Park Service

ACTION: Notice

Notice is hereby given in accordance with provisions of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), 43 CFR 10.9, of the completion of an inventory of human remains in the possession of the Pratt Museum, Homer, AK.

A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by Pratt Museum, University of Alaska-Anchorage, and Alaska State Office of History and Archaeology professional staff in consultation with representatives of the Chugach Alaska Corporation, Nanwalek Village Council, Port Graham Village Council, Seldovia Village Tribe, Cook Inlet Region, Inc., Ninilchik Village Traditional Council, Kenaitze Indian Tribe, Salamatof Tribal Council, Bristol Bay Native Corporation, and the Traditional Council of Togiak.

Between 1966-1976, human remains representing three individuals were recovered from non-federal lands on Chugachik Island in Kachemak Bay, AK by N. Holt, A.C. Holt, and/or Sam Pratt and donated to the Pratt Museum by Sam Pratt. No known individuals were identified. No associated funerary objects are present.

Based on the apparent age of the remains (c. 300 BC to 300 AD), these individuals have been determined to be Alutiiq. Based on material culture and manner of interment, the site from which these remains were recovered has been identified as Kachemak Tradition. Based on continuities of material culture and technologies, the Kachemak Tradition has been identified as an antecedent of the modern Alutiiq peoples, including Chugach Alaska Corporation, Nanwalek Village Council, Port Graham Village Council, Seldovia Village Tribe, Native Village of Tatitlek, Native Village of Chenega, and Eyak Native Village.

In 1981, human remains representing one individual were recovered from non-federal lands at Togiak, AK by Patrick and Dianne Audette who donated them to the Pratt Museum. No known individuals were identified. No associated funerary objects are present.

Based on statitistical tests of cranial measurements, this individual has been determined to be Yup'ik. The location where the remains were reportedly recovered has been identified as an area of Yup'ik occupation dating back 2,500 years based on continuties of material culture.

Based on the above mentioned information, officials of the Pratt Museum have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (d)(1), the human remains listed above represent the physical remains of four individuals of Native American ancestry. Officials of the Pratt Museum have also determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (e), there is a relationship of shared group identity which can be reasonably traced between these Native American human remains and the Chugach Alaska Corporation, Nanwalek Village Council, Port Graham Village Council, Seldovia Village Tribe, Native Village of Tatitlek, Native Village of Chenega, Eyak Native Village, Bristol Bay Native Corporation, and Traditional Council of Togiak.

This notice has been sent to officials of the Chugach Alaska Corporation, Nanwalek Village Council, Port Graham Village Council, Seldovia Village Tribe, Cook Inlet Region, Inc., Ninilchik Village Traditional Council, Kenaitze Indian Tribe, Salamatof Tribal Council, Bristol Bay Native Corporation, and the Traditional Council of Togiak. Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to be culturally affiliated with these human remains should contact Betsy Webb, Curator of Collecctions, Pratt Museum, 3779 Bartlett Street, Homer, AK 99603; telephone: (907) 235-8635, fax: (907) 235-2764; or email: pratt@alaska.net, before May 20, 1998. Repatriation of the human remains to the Chugach Alaska Corporation, Nanwalek Village Council, Port Graham Village Council, Seldovia Village Tribe, Native Village of Tatitlek, Native Village of Chenega, Eyak Native Village, Bristol Bay Native Corporation, and the Traditional Council of Togiak may begin after that date if no additional claimants come forward. Dated: April 13, 1998. Francis P. McManamon, Departmental Consulting Archeologist, Manager, Archeology and Ethnography.

[FR Doc. 98-10356Filed4-17-98; 8:45 am]

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