[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 58 (Wednesday, March 26, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14439-14440]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-7601]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Notice of Inventory Completion for Native American Human Remains 
From the Vicinity of Juneau, AK, in the Possession of the Alaska State 
Museum, Juneau, AK

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 from the 
vicinity of Juneau, AK, in the possession of the Alaska State Museum, 
Juneau, AK.
    A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by Alaska State 
Museum professional staff in consultation with representatives of the 
Auk Kwaan Tlingit Clan and the Central Council of Tlingit and Haida 
Tribes of Alaska.
    In 1949, human remains representing one individual were donated to 
the Alaska State Museum by John Harris. Accession information indicates 
this individual came from Shaman Island, northwest of Douglas Island 
and identified by John Harris as possibly the skull of Teetklen. No 
associated funerary objects are present.
    In 1957, human remains representing one individual was removed from 
Mendenhall Valley and presented to the Alaska State Museum by the U.S. 
Forest Service. No known individual was identified. No associated 
funerary objects are present. Officials of the U.S. Forest Service have 
reviewed the inventory information, and support and concur with the 
findings of the Alaska State Museum.
    At an unknown date, human remains representing one individual were 
donated to the Alaska State Museum after being recovered from federal 
or private lands in the area of Norway Point. No known individual was 
identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
    Although the actual circumstances of the recovery of these 
individuals is unknown, it is likely that one individual was recovered 
on Shaman Island, a known burial area for the Auk Kwaan Tlingit, the 
second individual was possibly recovered during highway construction on 
U.S. Forest Service or private lands in the Mendenhall Valley, and the 
third individual may have been recovered during construction on public 
or private lands in the area of Norway Point. Morphological evidence 
indicates these individuals are Native American based on anatomical 
structure. Consultation evidence presented by representatives of the 
Auk Kwaan Tlingit Clan and the Central Council of Tlingit and Haida 
Tribes of Alaska indicates that Tlingit peoples have inhabited 
southeastern Alaska for thousands of years.
    Based on the above mentioned information, officials of the Alaska 
State Museum have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (d)(1), the 
human remains listed above represent the physical remains of three 
individuals of Native American ancestry. Lastly, officials of the 
Alaska State 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 the 
Central Council of Tlingit and Haida Tribes of Alaska.
    This notice has been sent to officials of the Auk Kwaan Tlingit 
Clan and the

[[Page 14440]]

Central Council of Tlingit and Haida Tribes of Alaska. Representatives 
of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to be culturally 
affiliated with these human remains should contact Bruce Kato, Chief 
Curator, Alaska State Museum, 396 Whittier Street, Juneau, AK 99801; 
telephone: (907) 465-2901, before April 25, 1997. Repatriation of the 
human remains to the Central Council of Tlingit and Haida Tribes of 
Alaska may begin after that date if no additional claimants come 
forward.
Dated: March 17, 1997.
Francis P. McManamon,
Departmental Consulting Archeologist,
Manager, Archeology and Ethnography Program.
[FR Doc. 97-7601 Filed 3-25-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-F