[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 181 (Friday, September 18, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49924-49925]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-25041]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Inventory Completion for Native American Human Remains 
and Associated Funerary Objects from Mackinac County, MI in the 
Possession of the Michigan State University Museum, Michigan State 
University, East Lansing, MI

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 and associated 
funerary objects from Mackinac County, MI in the possession of the 
Michigan State University Museum, Michigan State University, East 
Lansing, MI.
    A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by Michigan 
State University Museum professional staff in consultation with 
representatives of Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians.
    During 1966-1967, human remains representing a minimum of 137 
individuals were recovered from the Lasanen site during legally 
authorized excavations conducted by the Michigan State University 
Museum. During this time, Mrs. Marie Lasanen, owner of the Lasanen 
site, donated these human remains to the Michigan State University 
Museum. No known individuals were identified. The 18,622 associated 
funerary objects include metal and trade items such as; knives, awls, 
harpoons, scissors, strike-a-lites, projectile points, finger rings, 
bracelets, a box, a sword pommel, buttons, bells, tinkling cones, saw 
parts, a trade silver cross, a pail, iron mail, Jesuit rings, and 
medallions; shell items including beads pendants runtees, effigies, and 
a gorget; catlinite pendants and beads; antler, bone, and ivory 
harpoons, points, fakes, containers, a comb, and buttons; chipped stone 
items including gunflints, scrapers, and projectile points; textiles; 
glass beads; and wood, charcoal, fabric remnants, ochre, vermillion, 
and animal bone fragments.
    Based on analysis of the associated funerary objects and manner of 
interment, the Lasanen site has been identified as a late 17th century 
burial site. Historical documents correlate the presence of an Ottawa 
(Odawa) settlement on the site during the 17th century. Jesuit 
documents from the period describe an Ottawa mortuary ceremony in close 
proximity to the Lasanen site which correspond to the manner of 
interments found during the Lasanen excavations. Oral tradition 
presented by representatives of the Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa 
Indians states the Ottawa formerly lived at the Straits of Mackinac, 
where the Lasanen site is located, and the place is referred to as 
Geteodawin, ``the place of our old town.''
    Based on the above mentioned information, officials of the Michigan 
State University Museum have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 
(d)(1), the human remains listed above represent the physical remains 
of a minimum of 137 individuals of Native

[[Page 49925]]

American ancestry. Officials of the Michigan State University Museum 
have also determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (d)(2), the 18,622 
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. Lastly, officials of the Michigan State 
University Museum have 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 
associated funerary objects and the Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa 
Indians.
    This notice has been sent to officials of the Little Traverse Bay 
Band of Odawa Indians. Representatives of any other Indian tribe that 
believes itself to be culturally affiliated with these human remains 
and associated funerary objects should contact Dr. William A. Lovis, 
Curator and Professor of Anthropology, Michigan State University 
Museum, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824-1045; 
telephone: (517) 355-3485, before October 19, 1998. Repatriation of the 
human remains and associated funerary objects to the Little Traverse 
Bay Band of Odawa Indians may begin after that date if no additional 
claimants come forward.
Dated: September 3, 1998.
Francis P. McManamon,
Departmental Consulting Archeologist,
Manager, Archeology and Ethnography Program.
[FR Doc. 98-25041 Filed 9-17-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-F