[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 124 (Friday, June 27, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 34775]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-16906]



DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service, DOI


Notice of Inventory Completion for Native American Human Remains, 
Associated Funerary Objects, and Unassociated Funerary Objects from 
Indian Island, CA in the Possession of the Clarke Memorial Museum, 
Eureka, CA

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, 
associated funerary objects, and unassociated funerary objects in the 
possession of the Clarke Memorial Museum, Eureka, CA.
    A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by Clarke 
Memorial Museum professional staff in consultation with representatives 
of Blue Lake Rancheria, Bear River Band of the Rohnerville Rancheria, 
and Table Bluff Rancheria of Wiyot Indians.
    At an unknown date, human remains representing at least one 
individual were removed from Indian Island, CA and donated to the 
Clarke Memorial Museum by unknown person(s). No known individual was 
identified. The 1,681 associated funerary objects include pine nut 
beads, clam disc beads, charred wood fragments, and abalone fragments.
    The other 2,680 cultural items include pine nut beads, clay balls, 
abalone fragments, animal bone fragments, pebbles, and olivella shells 
believed to have been recovered from other Native American burial sites 
on Indian Island, CA.
    Limited accession information indicates these human remains and 
cultural items came from Indian Island, CA. In February 1860, Indian 
Island was the site of a massacre of people of the Wiyot Tribe, the 
only inhabitants of the island at the time. This individual has been 
determined to be Native American based on the associated funerary 
objects. The funerary objects and cultural items are consistent with 
known Wiyot traditional funerary practice. Consultation evidence 
indicates the survivors of the 1860 massacre became part of the Table 
Bluff Rancheria of Wiyot Indians.
    Based on the above mentioned information, officials of the Clarke 
Memorial Museum have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (d)(1), 
the human remains listed above represent the physical remains of at 
least one individual of Native American ancestry. Officials of the 
Clarke Memorial Museum have also determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 
3001 (3)(A), the 1,681 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. Officials of the 
Clarke Memorial Museum have determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 
(3)(B), these 2,680 cultural items 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 and are believed, by a 
preponderance of the evidence, to have been removed from a specific 
burial site of an Native American individual. Lastly, officials of the 
Clarke Memorial 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, 
associated funerary objects, and unassociated funerary objects and the 
Table Bluff Rancheria of Wiyot Indians.
    This notice has been sent to officials of the Blue Lake Rancheria, 
Bear River Band of the Rohnerville Rancheria, and Table Bluff Rancheria 
of Wiyot Indians. Representatives of any other Indian tribe that 
believes itself to be culturally affiliated with these human remains, 
associated funerary objects, and unassociated funerary objects should 
contact Claudia Israel, Director-Curator, Clarke Memorial Museum, 240 
``E'' Street, Eureka, CA 95501; telephone: (707) 443-1947, before July 
28, 1997. Repatriation of the human remains, associated funerary 
objects, and unassociated funerary objects to the Table Bluff Rancheria 
of Wiyot Indians 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. 97-16906 Filed 6-26-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-F