[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 86 (Thursday, May 3, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 22252-22253]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-11135]


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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 U.S. 
Department of Defense, National Museum of Health and Medicine, Armed 
Forces Institute of Pathology, Washington, DC

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

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 in the possession of the U.S. Department of Defense, 
National Museum of Health and Medicine, Armed Forces Institute of 
Pathology (formerly the Army Medical Museum), 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 National 
Museum of Health and Medicine, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology 
professional staff in consultation with representatives of Comanche 
Indian Tribe, Oklahoma.

[[Page 22253]]

    In October 1875, human remains representing three individuals were 
sent to the National Museum of Health and Medicine, Armed Forces 
Institute of Pathology by U.S. Army Assistant Surgeon W. H. Forwood. 
The individuals were killed near Fort Richardson, Jack County, TX, in 
May 1875. Accession records identify them as Eath-ath Qua-ha day (Red 
Bear), Tooh-Parrah Qua-ha day (Black Bear), Yan-eth-ohis Qua-ha day 
(Wife of Black Bear). No associated funerary objects are present.
    Accession records from the National Museum of Health and Medicine, 
Armed Forces Institute of Pathology indicate that the remains are of 
Comanche Indians. Biological evidence of the injuries and sex of the 
human remains is consistent with the accession records. To date, 
consultation with the Comanche Indian Tribe, Oklahoma has not 
identified a lineal descendent.
    Based on the above-mentioned information, officials of the National 
Museum of Health and Medicine, 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, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology also 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 Comanche Indian Tribe, Oklahoma.
    This notice has been sent to officials of the Comanche Indian 
Tribe, Oklahoma. Representatives of any other Indian tribe that 
believes itself to be culturally affiliated with these human remains 
should contact Lenore Barbian, Ph.D., Assistant Curator, Anatomical 
Collections, National Museum of Health and Medicine, Armed Forces 
Institute of Pathology, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Building 54, 
Washington, DC 20306-6000, telephone (202) 782-2203, before June 4, 
2001. Repatriation of the human remains to the Comanche Indian Tribe, 
Oklahoma may begin after that date if no additional claimants come 
forward.

    Dated: April 11, 2001.
John Robbins,
Assistant Director, Cultural Resources Stewardship and Partnerships.
[FR Doc. 01-11135 Filed 5-2-01; 8:45 am]
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