[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 214 (Monday, November 5, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55952-55953]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-27701]


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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 American 
Museum of Natural History, New York, NY

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 American Museum of Natural 
History, New York, NY.
    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 American 
Museum of Natural History professional staff in consultation with 
representatives of the Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe of Washington; Lower 
Elwha Tribal Community of the Lower Elwha Reservation, Washington; 
Lummi Tribe of the Lummi Reservation, Washington; Nooksack Indian Tribe 
of Washington; Port Gamble Indian Community of the Port Gamble 
Reservation, Washington; Samish Indian Tribe, Washington; Stillaguamish 
Tribe of Washington; Swinomish Indians of the Swinomish Reservation, 
Washington; Tulalip Tribes of the Tulalip Reservation, Washington; and 
Upper Skagit Indian Tribe of Washington.
    In 1899, human remains representing a minimum of one individual 
were collected by Harlan I. Smith from ``Lummi,'' in the vicinity of 
Marietta, Whatcom County, WA, while Mr. Smith was a member of the Jesup 
North Pacific Expedition, sponsored by the American Museum of Natural 
History. No known individual was identified. The four associated 
funerary objects are pieces of shell.
    This individual has been identified as Native American based on the 
nature of the associated funerary objects and the burial location of 
``Lummi.'' Museum records suggest that this burial dates to the 
postcontact period. The geographic location is consistent with the 
traditional territory of the Lummi Tribe of the Lummi Reservation, 
Washington.
    In 1898, human remains representing a minimum of one individual 
were collected from the vicinity of Point Roberts, Whatcom County, WA, 
by Harlan I. Smith, while a member of the Jesup North Pacific 
Expedition. The human remains came from a road cut through a shell heap 
between Point Roberts and ``Alexander's house.'' No known individual 
was identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
    This individual has been identified as Native American based on 
burial location in a shell heap. Museum records suggest that this 
burial dates to the postcontact period. The geographic location of the 
burial is consistent with the traditional territory of the Lummi Tribe 
of the Lummi Reservation, Washington.
    In 1898, human remains representing a minimum of nine individuals 
were collected from the vicinity of Point Roberts, Whatcom County, WA, 
by Harlan I. Smith, while a member of the Jesup North Pacific 
Expedition. The human remains came from a shell heap. No known 
individuals were identified. No associated funerary objects are 
present.These individuals have been identified as Native American based 
on burial location. Traces of wood found in the grave suggest that the 
burial was relatively recent. The geographic location of the burials 
are consistent with the traditional territory of the Lummi Tribe of the 
Lummi Reservation, Washington.
    Based on the above-mentioned information, officials of the American 
Museum of Natural History have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 
(d)(1), the human remains listed above represent the physical remains 
of a minimum of 11 individuals of Native American ancestry. Officials 
of the American Museum of Natural History also have determined that, 
pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (d)(2), the four 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 American Museum of Natural History 
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 Lummi Tribe of the Lummi Reservation, Washington.
    This notice has been sent to officials of the Jamestown S'Klallam 
Tribe of Washington; Lower Elwha Tribal Community of the Lower Elwha 
Reservation, Washington; Lummi Tribe of the Lummi Reservation, 
Washington; Nooksack Indian Tribe of Washington; Port Gamble Indian 
Community of the Port Gamble Reservation, Washington; Samish Indian 
Tribe, Washington; Stillaguamish Tribe of Washington; Swinomish Indians 
of the Swinomish Reservation, Washington; Tulalip Tribes of the Tulalip 
Reservation, Washington; and Upper Skagit Indian Tribe of Washington. 
Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to be 
culturally affiliated with these human remains and associated funerary 
objects should contact Martha Graham, Director of Cultural Resources, 
American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th Street, 
New York, NY 10024-5192, telephone (212) 769-5846, before December 5, 
2001. Repatriation of the human remains and associated funerary objects 
to the Lummi Tribe of the Lummi Reservation,

[[Page 55953]]

Washington may begin after that date if no additional claimants come 
forward.

    Dated: August 28, 2001.
John Robbins,
Assistant Director, Cultural Resources Stewardship and Partnerships.
[FR Doc. 01-27701 Filed 11-2-01; 8:45 am]
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