[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 124 (Friday, June 27, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34777-34778]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-16905]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service, DOI


Notice of Inventory Completion for Native American Remains and 
Associated Funerary Objects From Teller, AK, in the Control of the 
Alaska State Office, Bureau of Land Management, Anchorage, AK

AGENCY: National Park Service, DOI.

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 control of the Alaska State Office, 
Bureau of Land Management.
    A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by Bureau of 
Land Management professional staff and University of Alaska Museum 
professional staff in consultation with representatives of the Native 
Village of Teller.
    During 1949, human remains representing two individuals from Point 
Spencer in the vicinity of Teller, AK were donated to the University of 
Alaska Museum by Charles Lucier. At an unknown date, Mr. Lucier had 
received these individuals as a gift from an unnamed person. No known 
individuals were identified. No associated funerary objects were 
recovered.
    During 1950, human remains representing five individuals (four 
adults and one child) were recovered from the vicinity of Teller, AK by 
Helge Larsen under unknown circumstances. No known individuals were 
identified.

[[Page 34778]]

No associated funerary objects were recovered.
    During 1961, human remains representing six individuals were 
surface-collected from the Seward Peninsula in the vicinity of Teller, 
AK by Frederick Hadleigh West Also in 1961, West surface-collected 
cranial elements of two individuals from a tundra burial on the Seward 
Peninsula in the vicinity of Teller. No known individuals were 
identified. No associated funerary objects were recovered.
    Archeological and ethnographic evidence indicates the general 
region of Point Spencer shows a continuity of occupation from 900 AD to 
the present based on technologies, material culture, and manner of 
interment. All of the remains are undated and may be as recent as the 
late 19th or early 20th century when the ancestors of people now living 
in Teller were in this area. Native Elders recognize the areas where 
the human remains were recovered as traditionally associated with their 
village, and that tundra burials are the traditional manner of 
internment.
    Based on the above mentioned information, including oral history, 
officials of the Bureau of Land Management have determined that, 
pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (d)(1), the human remains listed above 
represent the physical remains of fifteen individuals of Native 
American ancestry. Officials of the Bureau of Land Management have also 
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 Native Village of 
Teller.
    This notice has been sent to officials of the Native Village of 
Teller. Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself 
to be culturally affiliated with these human remains and associated 
funerary objects should contact Dr. Robert E. King, Alaska State NAGPRA 
Coordinator, Bureau of Land Management, 222 W. 7th Avenue, #13, 
Anchorage, Alaska 99513-7599; telephone (907) 271-5510, before July 28, 
1997. Repatriation of the human remains to the Native Village of Teller 
may begin after that date if no additional claimants come forward.
Dated: June 19, 1997.
Francis P. McManamon,
Departmental Consulting Archeologist,
Manager, Archeology and Ethnography Program.
[FR Doc. 97-16905 Filed 6-26-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-F