Native American human remains, funerary objects; inventory, repatriation, etc.: American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY,

[Federal Register: August 28, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 167)]

[Notices]

[Page 51803-51804]

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

[DOCID:fr28au03-82]

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

Notice of Inventory Completion: American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

Notice is here given in accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), 25 U.S.C. 3003, of the completion of an inventory of human remains and associated funerary objects in the possession of the American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY. The human remains and associated funerary objects were removed from Skamania County, WA. This notice is published as part of the National Park Service's administrative responsibilities under NAGPRA, 25 U.S.C. 3003 (d)(3). The determinations within this notice are the sole responsibility of the museum, institution, or Federal agency that has control of the Native American human remains and associated funerary objects. The National Park Service is not

[[Page 51804]]

responsible for the determinations within this notice. A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by American Museum of Natural History professional staff in consultation with representatives of the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, Washington; Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation, Washington; Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, Washington; Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon; Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon; Hoh Indian Tribe of the Hoh Indian Reservation, Washington; Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe of Washington; Lower Elwha Tribal Community of the Lower Elwha Reservation, Washington; Lummi Tribe of the Lummi Reservation, Washington; Makah Indian Tribe of the Makah Indian Reservation, Washington; Muckleshoot Indian Tribe of the Muckleshoot Reservation, Washington; Nisqually Indian Tribe of the Nisqually Reservation, Washington; Nooksack Indian Tribe of Washington; Port Gamble Indian Community of the Port Gamble Reservation, Washington; Puyallup Tribe of the Puyallup Reservation, Washington; Quileute Tribe of the Quileute Reservation, Washington; Quinault Tribe of the Quinault Reservation, Washington; Samish Indian Tribe, Washington; Shoalwater Bay Tribe of the Shoalwater Bay Indian Reservation, Washington; Skokomish Indian Tribe of the Skokomish Reservation, Washington; Squaxin Island Tribe of the Squaxin Island Reservation, Washington; Stillaguamish Tribe of Washington; Swinomish Indians of the Swinomish Reservation, Washington; Tulalip Tribes of the Tulalip Reservation, Washington; and Upper Skagit Indian Tribe of Washington. In 1882, human remains representing a minimum of 10 individuals were removed from Chenoworth Rock, Little White Salmon, in the vicinity of the Columbia River, Skamania County, WA, by James Terry. In 1891, the American Museum of Natural History purchased the human remains from Mr. Terry. No known individuals were identified. No associated funerary objects are present. In 1891, the American Museum of Natural History purchased additional human remains representing a minimum of two individuals from Mr. Terry. Museum records indicate the provenience of the human remains as ``WA?, Skamania County?, Columbia River?, Little White Salmon?, Chenoworth rock?'' No known individuals were identified. The 13 associated funerary objects are 9 metal bracelets, 3 metal finger rings, and 1 string of brass and glass beads. The metal and glass objects indicate a postcontact date for the burials. Based on geographic location and the presence of cranial shaping, the individuals have been identified as Native American. The associated funerary objects suggest a postcontact age for some of the human remains, and the geographic origin for all of the human remains is consistent with the postcontact territory of Chinook- and Sahaptin- speaking groups of the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, Washington and the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon. Officials of the American Museum of Natural History have determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (9-10), the human remains described above represent the physical remains of a minimum of 12 individuals of Native American ancestry. Officials of the American Museum of Natural History also have determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (3)(A), the 13 objects described above are reasonably believed to have been placed with or near individual human remains at the time of death or later as part of the death rite or ceremony. Lastly, officials of the American Museum of Natural History have determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (2), there is a relationship of shared group identity that can be reasonably traced between the Native American human remains and associated funerary objects and the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, Washington and Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon. Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to be culturally affiliated with the human remains and associated funerary objects should contact Luc Litwinionek, Director of Cultural Resources, American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th Street, New York, NY 10024-5192, telephone (212) 769-5846, before September 29, 2003. Repatriation of the human remains and associated funerary objects to the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, Washington and Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon may proceed after that date if no additional claimants come forward. The American Museum of Natural History is responsible for notifying the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, Washington; Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation, Washington; Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, Washington; Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon; Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon; Hoh Indian Tribe of the Hoh Indian Reservation, Washington; Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe of Washington; Lower Elwha Tribal Community of the Lower Elwha Reservation, Washington; Lummi Tribe of the Lummi Reservation, Washington; Makah Indian Tribe of the Makah Indian Reservation, Washington; Muckleshoot Indian Tribe of the Muckleshoot Reservation, Washington; Nisqually Indian Tribe of the Nisqually Reservation, Washington; Nooksack Indian Tribe of Washington; Port Gamble Indian Community of the Port Gamble Reservation, Washington; Puyallup Tribe of the Puyallup Reservation, Washington; Quileute Tribe of the Quileute Reservation, Washington; Quinault Tribe of the Quinault Reservation, Washington; Samish Indian Tribe, Washington; Shoalwater Bay Tribe of the Shoalwater Bay Indian Reservation, Washington; Skokomish Indian Tribe of the Skokomish Reservation, Washington; Squaxin Island Tribe of the Squaxin Island Reservation, Washington; Stillaguamish Tribe of Washington; the Swinomish Indians of the Swinomish Reservation, Washington; Tulalip Tribes of the Tulalip Reservation, Washington; and Upper Skagit Indian Tribe of Washington that this notice has been published.

Dated: June 20, 2003. John Robbins, Assistant Director, Cultural Resources.

[FR Doc. 03-21976 Filed 8-27-03; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4310-70-S