[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 175 (Monday, September 9, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 47526]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-22852]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service


Notice of Inventory Completion for Native American Human Remains 
and Associated Funerary Objects From Bay County, MI, in the Possession 
of the Michigan State University Museum, Michigan State University, 
East Lansing, MI

AGENCY: National Park Service

ACTION: Notice

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    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 Michigan State 
University Museum, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI.
    A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by Michigan 
State University Museum professional staff in consultation with 
representatives of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan.
    During 1967-68 and 1970, human remains representing a minimum of 
145 individuals were recovered during legally authorized excavations of 
the Fletcher site by the MSU Museum. Mr. Joseph Fletcher, the owner of 
the Fletcher site, donated these human remains and associated funerary 
objects to the MSU Museum during this time. No known individuals were 
identified. The 65,160 associated funerary objects include glass beads, 
wampum, silver jewelry, hair ornaments, armbands, animal bones, 
feathers, cooking utensils, muskets, knives, tomahawks, buttons, woven 
fabrics, scissors, awls, pipes, tools, tin cones, bells, wood/bark 
fragments, gorgets, keys, locks, lithics, bottles, leather, projectile 
points, and fishing spears.
    The Fletcher site has been identified as a late 18th century 
occupation site based on the associated funerary objects and manner of 
the internments. Historic documents indicate Saginaw Chippewa 
settlements in close proximity to this cemetery area during the late 
18th century. The location of this site compared to historically 
documented Saginaw Chippewa village locations, the presence of 18th 
century village debris in the area, and documented use of this area in 
the 19th century by the Saginaw Chippewa all indicate cultural 
affiliation of this cemetery to the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe of Michigan. 
Oral tradition presented by representatives of the Saginaw Chippewa 
Indian Tribe indicates this area was a cemetery area used by the band 
into the historic period.
    Based on the above mentioned information, officials of the Michigan 
State University Museum have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 
(d)(1), the human remains listed above represent the physical remains 
of a minimum of 145 individuals of Native American ancestry. Officials 
of the Michigan State University Museum have also determined that, 
pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (3)(A), the 65,160 objects listed 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 Michigan State University Museum 
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 associated funerary 
objects and the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan.
    This notice has been sent to officials of the Saginaw Chippewa 
Indian Tribe of Michigan. Representatives of any other Indian tribe 
that believes itself to be culturally affiliated with these human 
remains and associated funerary objects should contact Dr. William A. 
Lovis, Curator and Professor of Anthropology, MSU Museum, Michigan 
State University, East Lansing, MI; telephone: (517) 355-2370, before 
October 9, 1996. Repatriation of the human remains and associated 
funerary objects to the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan may 
begin after that date if no additional claimants come forward.
Dated: August 29, 1996
Francis P. McManamon,
Departmental Consulting Archeologist,
Manager, Archeology and Ethnography Program.
[FR Doc. 96-22852 Filed 9-6-96 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-F