[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]


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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 the Noatak 
National Preserve, National Park Service, Kotzebue, 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 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