[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 80 (Monday, April 27, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 20648]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-11103]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Inventory Completion for Native American Human Remains 
from Todd County, SD in the Possession of the South Dakota State 
Archaeological Research Center, Rapid City, SD

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), 43 CFR 10.9, 
of the completion of an inventory of human remains from Todd County, SD 
in the possession of the South Dakota State Archaeological Research 
Center, Rapid City, SD.
    A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by South Dakota 
State Archaeological Research Center (SARC) professional staff and 
contract specialists in physical anthropology and archeology in 
consultation with representatives of the Blackfeet Nation of Montana.
    In 1989, following the notification of the SARC by the landowner, 
Clifford Klein, human remains representing one individual were 
recovered from the eroding bank of a stock dam in Todd County (39TD52), 
SD by James Haug, South Dakota State Archeologist, SARC. No known 
individuals were identified. No associated funerary objects were 
present.
    Based on cranial morphology and dentition, this individual has been 
identified as Native American. Crainometric measurements of these human 
remains indicate they are consistent with present-day Blackfeet people. 
Consultation evidence including oral tradition provided by Blackfeet 
Nation representatives indicate that south-central South Dakota was 
part of their original territory, and they often conducted exchanges 
and trade in the area. Historical documents also mention Blackfeet 
travelling parties near the Black Hills with Gros Ventre (Atsina); and 
associations with Arapaho and Cheyenne in places as distant as the 
South Plains.
    Based on the above mentioned information, officials of the South 
Dakota State Archaeological Research Center 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 South Dakota State Archaeological Research 
Center have also determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (e), there is 
a relationship of shared group identity which can be reasonably traced 
between these Native American human remains and the Blackfeet Nation of 
Montana.
    This notice has been sent to officials of the Blackfeet Nation of 
Montana. Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself 
to be culturally affiliated with these human remains and associated 
funerary objects should contact Renee Boen, Curator, South Dakota State 
Archaeological Research Center, P.O. Box 1257, Rapid City, SD 57709-
1257; telephone: (605) 394-1936, before May 27, 1998. Repatriation of 
the human remains to the Blackfeet Nation of Montana may begin after 
that date if no additional claimants come forward.
Dated: April 21, 1998.
Francis P. McManamon,
Departmental Consulting Archeologist,
Manager, Archeology and Ethnography Program.
[FR Doc. 98-11103 Filed 4-24-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-F