[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 86 (Thursday, May 3, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 22246-22247]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-11144]


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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 Grand Valley State 
University, Allendale, MI

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 Grand Valley State University, 
Allendale, MI.
    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 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 Grand Valley 
State University professional staff in consultation with 
representatives of the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians of Michigan.
    In 1971-1972, human remains representing a minimum of 17 
individuals were removed from individual burials during excavations at 
the Battle Point site (20OT4), Crockery Township, Ottawa County, MI, by 
Grand Valley State University staff Dr. Richard Flanders. Human remains 
representing a minimum of an additional nine individuals were removed 
from disturbed contexts in the same area of the site. No known 
individuals were identified. The 8,413 associated funerary objects 
include iron buckets; clay pipes; glass beads; and silver ornaments 
including gorgets, tinklers, and brooches. The catalog numbers for 
these associated funerary objects are 2016, 2025, 2026, 2028-2030, 
2056-2063, and 2079-2082.
    Between 1980 and 1990, human remains representing a minimum of nine 
individuals were removed from the Battle Point site by Grand Valley 
State University staff. These remains were exposed through erosion of 
the Battle Point site by the Grand River. No known individuals were 
identified. The 60 associated funerary objects include silver 
ornaments, strike-a-lights, bucket fragments, a knife blade, pieces of 
wood, and fabric. The catalog number for these associated funerary 
objects is 9010.
    Between 1990 and 1998, human remains representing a minimum of 15 
individuals were removed from the Battle Point site by Grand Valley 
State University staff; Ottawa County, MI, Sheriff's Department staff; 
and the Office of the State Archaeologist of Michigan. The remains were 
exposed as a result of erosion of the site by the Grand River. The 149 
associated funerary objects are a metal trade ax, wood, nails, and a 
bucket. The catalog numbers for these associated funerary objects are 
20OT04/1992-1993, 20OT04/7.16.96, 20OT04/3.27.97, 20OT04/12.97.1-8, and 
20OT04/9.24.98.
    Unassociated funerary objects from the Battle Point site in the 
possession of the Grand Valley State University are reported in a 
separate Notice of Intent to Repatriate.
    The Battle Point site is a multi-component site consisting of 
habitation dating to circa A. D. 200-1300, and a cemetery dating to the 
mid-19th century. Associated funerary objects date the burials to circa 
1800-1840. Excavation notes, spatial analyses, and other studies 
demonstrate that the cemetery intrudes into habitation deposits dating 
to pre-European contact and that do not include a mortuary component.
    Historic documentation indicates that a Native American cemetery 
associated with the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians of Michigan was 
located at the Battle Point site in the mid-19th century. An abstract 
of land title dated to 1846 identifies an association between members 
of the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians of Michigan and the plot on 
which the cemetery is located. The cemetery is specifically mentioned 
in a 1864 land transaction as associated with the Little River Band of 
Ottawa Indians of Michigan. On the basis of historical and oral 
historical information, the Battle Point site cemetery is determined to 
be culturally affiliated with the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians 
of Michigan.
    Based on the above-mentioned information, officials of the Grand 
Valley State University have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 
(d)(1), the human remains listed above represent the physical remains 
of 41 individuals of Native American ancestry. Officials of the Grand 
Valley State University also have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 
10.2 (d)(2), the 8,622 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 Grand Valley State University 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 associated funerary objects and the Little River Band of Ottawa 
Indians of Michigan.
    This notice has been sent to officials of the Grand Traverse Band 
of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians of Michigan, the Little Traverse Bay 
Bands of Odawa Indians of Michigan, the Little River Band of Ottawa 
Indians of Michigan,

[[Page 22247]]

and the Grand River Bands of Ottawa Indians (a non-Federally recognized 
group). Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself 
to be culturally affiliated with these human remains and associated 
funerary objects should contact Janet G. Brashler, Professor and 
Curator of Anthropology, Grand Valley State University, Allendale, MI 
49401, telephone (616) 854-3694, before June 4, 2001. Repatriation of 
the human remains and associated funerary objects to the Little River 
Band of Ottawa Indians may begin after that date if no additional 
claimants come forward.

    Dated: April 16, 2001.
John Robbins,
Assistant Director, Cultural Resources Stewardship and Partnerships.
[FR Doc. 01-11144 Filed 5-2-01; 8:45 am]
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