[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 115 (Monday, June 16, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 32652]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-15681]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Inventory Completion for Native American Human Remains 
and Associated Funerary Objects in the Possession of Sitka National 
Historical Park, National Park Service, Sitka, AK

AGENCY: National Park Service

ACTION: Notice

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    Notice is hereby given in accordance with provisions of the Native 
American Grave 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 Sitka National 
Historical Park, National Park Service, Sitka, AK.
    A detailed assessment of the human remains and associated funerary 
objects was made by professional staff of the National Park Service in 
consultation with representatives of the Sitka Tribe of Alaska and the 
Central Council of Tlingit and Haida Tribes of Alaska. Representatives 
of Shee Atika, Incorporated and Sealaska Heritage Foundation have been 
kept aware of the formal correspondence and consultation results.
    In 1958 cremated human remains representing one individual were 
illegally removed from a burial cave in the Siginaka Islands by 
National Park Service and University of Alaska personnel following a 
discussion of the site with Tlingit elders. No known individuals were 
identified. The 22 associated funerary objects include seventeen wood 
fragments, four spruce rope fragments, and one hammered copper band.
    The cave from which the human remains and associated funerary 
objects were recovered was identified as a burial site used by Tlingit 
people following the 1802 Battle of Old Sitka. Documentary evidence, 
including testimony of Tlingit elders, indicates that the Siginaka 
Islands are within the territory traditionally used by the Sitka 
Tlingit. Documentary evidence also indicates that the practice of 
cremating human remains in the Sitka area was abandoned by the resident 
Tlingit population after ca. 1880 AD. The exact date of the burial is 
unknown; however, based on these factors and the presence of the 
hammered copper band, the remains are likely to date to the 19th 
century.
    Based on the above-mentioned information, officials of the National 
Park Service have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (d)(1), the 
human remains listed above represent the physical remains of a minimum 
of one individual of Native American ancestry. Officials of the 
National Park Service have also determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 
3001 (3)(A), the 22 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 a death rite or ceremony. Lastly, officials 
of the National Park Service 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 Sitka Tribe of Alaska.
    This notice has been sent to officials of the Sitka Tribe of 
Alaska, Central Council of Tlingit and Haida Tribes of Alaska, Shee 
Atika, Incorporated, and Sealaska Heritage Foundation. Representatives 
of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to be culturally 
affiliated with these human remains and associated funerary objects 
should contact Superintendent Gary Gauthier, Sitka National Historical 
Park, 106 Metlakatla Street, Sitka, Alaska, 99835, telephone (907) 747-
6281, before July 16, 1997. Repatriation of the human remains and 
associated funerary objects to the Sitka Tribe of Alaska may begin 
after that date if no additional claimants come forward.
Dated: June 6, 1997.
Francis P. McManamon,
Departmental Consulting Archeologist,
Manager, Archeology and Ethnography Program.
[FR Doc. 97-15681 Filed 6-13-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-F