[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 62 (Thursday, March 30, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16958-16959]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-7850]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Inventory Completion for Native American Human Remains 
and Unassociated Funerary Objects from the Battle Point Site, Ottawa 
County, MI in the Possession of the Museum of Anthropology, University 
of Michigan, Ann Arbor, 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 unassociated 
funerary objects from the Battle Point site, Ottawa County, MI in the 
possession of Museum of Anthropology, University of Michigan, Ann 
Arbor, MI.
    A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by Museum of 
Anthropology professional staff in consultation with representatives of 
the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians.
    In 1955, human remains representing 11 individuals were recovered 
from the Battle Point site (20OT4), Ottawa County, MI. The 1955 
excavations were conducted by Mr. George Davis and Mr. Edward Gillis of 
Grand Rapids, MI following their observation that human remains were 
eroding into the Grand River; and these human remains were donated to 
the University of Michigan Museum of Anthropology in 1962. No known 
individuals were identified. The funerary objects recovered with the 
human remains were not donated to the University of Michigan Museum of 
Anthropology.
    In 1962, human remains representing one individual were recovered 
during surface collections from the Battle Point site (20OT4), Ottawa 
County, MI conducted by Richard Flanders of the University of Michigan 
Museum of Anthropology. No known individual was identified. No 
associated funerary objects can be identified.
    The 18 cultural items consist of small iron fragments, a sample of 
wood, one iron nail, three silver fragments, one fish bone, and 
unidentified pieces of unmodified animal bone.
    In 1962, these cultural items were recovered during surface 
collections conducted by Richard Flanders of the University of Michigan 
Museum of Anthropology. Based on age, types of cultural material, 
presence with human remains, and location at the Battle Point site, 
these cultural items have been determined to be unassociated funerary 
objects.
    Based on historic documents, reports of associated funerary 
objects, and cultural material, the Battle Point site has been 
identified as an Ottawa settlement and cemetery dating to c. 1810-1830 
A.D. Additionally, consultation evidence provided by representatives of 
the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians includes an Abstract of Title 
for the land parcel containing the Battle Point cemetery and specific 
mentions of this cemetery continue in a series of transactions. 
Further, the original 1864 abstract involved a member of the Little 
River Band of Ottawa.
    Based on the above mentioned information, officials of the 
University of Michigan Museum of Anthropology have determined that, 
pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (d)(1), the human remains listed above 
represent the physical remains of a minimum of 12 individuals of Native 
American ancestry. Officials of the University of Michigan Museum of 
Anthropology have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (d)(2)(ii), 
these 18 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 University of 
Michigan Museum of Anthropology 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 unassociated funerary objects and the Little River Band of Ottawa 
Indians.
    This notice has been sent to officials of the Little River Band of 
Ottawa Indians, the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, 
the Little Traverse Band of Odawa Indians, and a

[[Page 16959]]

non-Federally recognized Indian group, the Grand River Bands of Ottawa 
Indians. Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself 
to be culturally affiliated with these human remains and associated 
funerary objects should contact Karen O'Brien, Collections Manager, 
Museum of Anthropology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109; 
telephone: (734) 764-6299, before May 1, 2000. Repatriation of the 
human remains and unassociated funerary objects to the Little River 
Band of Ottawa Indians may begin after that date if no additional 
claimants come forward.

    Dated: March 22, 2000.
Francis P. McManamon,
Departmental Consulting Archeologist, Manager, Archeology and 
Ethnography Program.
[FR Doc. 00-7850 Filed 3-29-00; 8:45 am]
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