[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 136 (Wednesday, July 16, 1997)] [Notices] [Page 38116] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 97-18709] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR National Park Service Notice of Inventory Completion for Native American Human Remains and Associated Funerary Objects in the Possession of the Noatak National Preserve, National Park Service, Kotzebue, AK AGENCY: National Park Service. ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 Noatak National Preserve, National Park Service, Kotzebue, AK. A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by professional staff of the National Park Service in consultation with representatives of the Native Village of Noatak and the Northwest Alaska Native Association. In 1982, human remains representing one individual were collected by a park visitor during a boating trip down the Noatak River. No known individuals were identified. No associated funerary objects are present. Park records indicate that the remains were collected from an area 75 miles downstream of Lake Matcherak on the Noatak River. The exact location is not known. The human remains are dated to the 19th century AD based on the state of preservation. Historical documentation as well as testimony from Inupiaq elders indicates this area was located within the traditional territory of the historic Nuataagmiut. The descendants of the historic Nuataagmiut have been widely dispersed. However, the largest group of descendants currently reside in Noatak, Alaska and are represented by the Native Village of Noatak. Based on the above 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 one individual of Native American ancestry. Officials of the National Park Service 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 Noatak. This notice has been sent to officials of the Native Village of Noatak and Northwest Alaska Native Association. Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to be culturally affiliated with these human remains should contact Superintendent David Spirtes, Northwest Alaska Areas, P.O. Box 1029, Kotzebue, Alaska, 99752, telephone (907) 442-3760, before August 15, 1997. Repatriation of the human remains to the Native Village of Noatak may begin after that date if no additional claimants come forward. Dated: July 10, 1997. Veletta Canouts, Acting Departmental Consulting Archeologist, Assistant Manager, Archeology and Ethnography Program. [FR Doc. 97-18709 Filed 7-15-97; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-70-F