[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 251 (Friday, December 29, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 83081-83082]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-33274]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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 National 
Museum of Health and Medicine, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, 
Washington, DC

AGENCY: National Park Service

ACTION: Notice

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

    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 in the possession of the National Museum of Health and 
Medicine, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Washington, DC.
    This notice is published as part of the National Park Service's 
administrative responsibilities under NAGPRA, 43 CFR 10.2 (c). The 
determinations within this notice are the sole responsibility of the 
museum, institution, or Federal agency that has control of these Native 
American human remains and associated funerary objects. The National 
Park Service is not responsible for the determinations within this 
notice.
    A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by the National 
Museum of Health and Medicine, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology 
professional staff in consultation with representatives of the Klamath 
Indian Tribe of Oregon and the Modoc Tribe of Oklahoma.
    In 1873, human remains representing one individual were collected 
from an unknown area in Oregon or California referred to as ``the lava 
beds,'' by J. D. Skinner. Accession records identify this individual is 
as brother of Sconchin, a former chief of the Modoc. No associated 
funerary objects are present.
    Based on accession records from the National Museum of Health and 
Medicine, this individual has been

[[Page 83082]]

identified as Native American. The Klamath Indian Tribe of Oregon and 
the Modoc Tribe of Oklahoma have a shared ancestry. Following the 
conclusion of the Modoc wars, the Modoc people were relocated to 
Oklahoma. In 1888, the Modoc reservation was established. In 1909, 
permission was granted to the Modoc to return to Oregon. Those who 
returned became part of the Klamath Indian Tribe of Oregon. To date, 
consultation with the Klamath Indian Tribe of Oregon and the Modoc 
Tribe of Oklahoma has not identified a lineal descendent.
    In 1874, human remains representing four individuals were collected 
by an unknown individual from an unknown area. The circumstances 
surrounding the recovery of the remains are unknown. In 1874, the 
remains were donated to the National Museum of Health and Medicine 
(formerly the Army Medical Museum) by E. T. Parker. The museum is in 
possession of only two individuals. No known individuals were 
identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
    Accession records from the National Museum of Health and Medicine 
indicate that the remains are from Modoc Indians who were hung. The 
Klamath Indian Tribe of Oregon and the Modoc Tribe of Oklahoma have a 
shared ancestry. Following the conclusion of the Modoc wars, the Modoc 
people were relocated to Oklahoma. In 1888, the Modoc reservation was 
established. In 1909, permission was granted to the Modoc to return to 
Oregon. Those who returned became part of the Klamath Indian Tribe of 
Oregon.
    Based on the above-mentioned information, officials of the National 
Museum of Health and Medicine of the Armed Forces Institute of 
Pathology have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (d)(1), the 
human remains listed above represent the physical remains of three 
individuals of Native American ancestry. Officials of the National 
Museum of Health and Medicine of the Armed Forces Institute of 
Pathology have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (e), there is a 
relationship of shared group identity that can be reasonably traced 
between these Native American human remains and the Klamath Indian 
Tribe of Oregon and the Modoc Tribe of Oklahoma.
    This notice has been sent to officials of the Klamath Indian Tribe 
of Oregon and the Modoc Tribe of Oklahoma. Representatives of any other 
Indian tribe that believes itself to be culturally affiliated with 
these human remains should contact Lenore Barbian, Assistant Curator, 
National Museum of Health and Medicine, Armed Forces Institute of 
Pathology, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Building 54, Washington, DC 
20306, telephone (202) 782-2203, before January 29, 2001. Repatriation 
of the human remains and associated funerary objects to the Klamath 
Indian Tribe of Oregon may begin after that date if no additional 
claimants come forward.

    Dated: December 21, 2000
John Robbins,
Assistant Director, Cultural Resources Stewardship and Partnerships
[FR Doc. 00-33274 Filed 12-28-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-F