[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 86 (Thursday, May 3, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 22252]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-11137]


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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 the Seneca 
Nation of New York, Seneca-Cayuga Tribe of Oklahoma, and Tonowanda Band 
of Seneca Indians of New York.
    Prior to 1915, human remains representing one individual were 
excavated from an Indian mission cemetery in Buffalo, Erie County, NY, 
by an unknown individual. In 1915, the National Museum of Health and 
Medicine, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology purchased the remains 
from the Charles H. Ward Company of Rochester, NY. No known individual 
was identified. 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 were 
identified by the Charles H. Ward Company as an adult female Seneca 
Indian. Historical information indicates that the Buffalo Creek Mission 
Cemetery, from which the remains were obtained, was located in Erie 
County, NY. Historical records from the Indian Claims Commission places 
the Seneca in an area that includes Erie County, NY.
    Prior to 1914, human remains representing one individual were 
collected from the farm of George Marsh approximately 5 miles from 
Canandaigua, Ontario County, NY, by George G. Heye of the Heye 
Foundation. In 1914, Mr. Heye donated the remains to the Smithsonian 
Institution. In 1915, the remains were transferred to the National 
Museum of Heath and Medicine, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology. No 
known individual was identified. No associated funerary objects are 
present.
    Based on the geographic location where these human remains were 
found, this individual has been identified as Native American. 
Archeological information indicates that the Marsh farm site was an 
eastern Seneca village site dating from 1650-1670. Biological 
information indicates that these human remains are most likely of an 
adult individual of unknown sex. Based on geographical evidence and on 
archeological expert opinion, these human remains are most likely 
culturally affiliated with the Seneca Nation of New York, Seneca-Cayuga 
Tribe of Oklahoma, and Tonowanda Band of Seneca Indians of New York.
    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 two 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 Seneca Nation of New York, Seneca-Cayuga 
Tribe of Oklahoma, and Tonowanda Band of Seneca Indians of New York.
    This notice has been sent to officials of the Seneca Nation of New 
York, Seneca-Cayuga Tribe of Oklahoma, and Tonowanda Band of Seneca 
Indians of New York. 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 and associated funerary objects 
to the Seneca Nation of New York, Seneca-Cayuga Tribe of Oklahoma, and 
Tonowanda Band of Seneca Indians of New York 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. 01-11137 Filed 5-2-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-F