[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 97 (Friday, May 17, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 24950]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-12494]



-----------------------------------------------------------------------


DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Notice of Inventory Completion for Native American Human Remains 
from Lake Winnepesauke, NH, in the Possession of the Hood Museum of 
Art, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH

AGENCY: National Park Service.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

    Notice is hereby given in accordance with provisions of the Native 
American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), 25 U.S.C. 
3003 (d), of the completion of an inventory of human remains and 
associated funerary objects in the possession of the Hood Museum of 
Art, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH.
    A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by the Hood 
Museum of Art professional staff in consultation with representatives 
of the Penobscot Indian Nation and representatives of the Abenaki 
Nation of Missisquoi (Western Abenaki) and the Abenaki Family Alliance, 
two non-Federally recognized Native American groups.
    In 1945, human remains representing one individual were recovered 
from the shore of Lake Winnepesauke in Tuftonboro, NH, and donated to 
the Hood Museum of Art. No known individuals were identified. No 
associated funerary objects were present.
    Visual examinations conducted when this individual was recovered 
concluded this is a Native American child buried during the mid-18th 
century. The Western Abenaki are known to have occupied this area 
during that time, and the place of recovery of this individual is 
consistent with known Abenaki internment practice.
    Because the Abenaki Nation of Missisquoi is a non-Federally 
recognized Native American group, the Hood Museum of Art included these 
remains on the museum's culturally unidentifiable human remains 
inventory. Pursuant to the Abenaki Nation of Missisquoi's request for 
repatriation, the Hood Museum of Art requested a finding from the 
Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Review Committee for 
disposition of these human remains. A letter of support from the 
Penobscot Indian Nation for the Abenaki Nation of Missisquoi's request 
was included in the documentation presented to the Review Committee.
    On December 11, 1995, officials of the Hood Museum of Art were 
formally notified of the recommendation from the Review Committee 
stating that the Hood Museum of Art `` * * *publicize the Western 
Abenaki's (Abenaki Nation of Missisquoi) repatriation request in local 
newspapers with circulation in New Hampshire and Vermont * * *If after 
30 days, no other claimants have expressed interest in repatriating the 
remains, [the Hood Museum of Art] may proceed with the repatriation 
process.'' Classified legal notices and/or feature articles publicizing 
the repatriation request ran in five regional/statewide newspapers 
between January 31, 1996 and March 24, 1996.
    As of April 24, 1996, one response was received from these 
classified legal notices and articles. The Abenaki Family Alliance has 
stated that the Alliance represents Abenaki families who do not wish to 
be represented by the Abenaki Nation of Missisquoi. The Abenaki Family 
Alliance has further stressed that they do not want to slow down or 
contest the repatriation process in this instance.
    Based on the above mentioned information, officials of the Hood 
Museum of Art have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (d)(1), the 
human remains listed above represent the physical remains of one 
individual of Native American ancestry. Officials of the Hood Museum of 
Art have determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (2), there is a 
relationship of shared group identity which can be reasonably traced 
between these Native American human remains and the Abenaki Nation of 
Missisquoi.
    This notice has been sent to officials of the Penobscot Indian 
Nation, the Abenaki Nation of Missisquoi (Western Abenaki), and the 
Abenaki Family Alliance. Representatives of any other Indian tribe that 
believes itself to be culturally affiliated with these human remains 
and associated funerary objects should contact Kellen G. Haak, 
Registrar and Repatriation Coordinator, Hood Museum of Art, Dartmouth 
College, Hanover, NH 03755, telephone (603) 646-3109 before June 17, 
1996. Repatriation of the human remains and associated funerary objects 
to the Abenaki Nation of Missisquoi may begin after that date if no 
additional claimants come forward.
Dated: May 9, 1996.
Veletta Canouts,
Acting Departmental Consulting Archeologist,
Deputy Chief, Archeology & Ethnography Program.
[FR Doc. 96-12494 Filed 5-16-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-F