[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 246 (Monday, December 23, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 78248-78249]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-32175]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Intent to Repatriate Cultural Items: Williamson Museum, 
Northwestern State University, Natchitoches, LA

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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    Notice is hereby given under the Native American Graves Protection 
and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), 25 U.S.C. 3005, Sec. 7, of the intent to 
repatriate cultural items in the possession of the Williamson Museum, 
Northwestern State University, Natchitoches, LA, that meet the 
definition of ``unassociated funerary objects'' under 25 U.S.C. 3001.
    This notice is published as part of the National Park Service's 
administrative responsibilities under NAGPRA, 25 U.S.C. 3003, Sec. 5 
(d)(3). The determinations within this notice are the sole 
responsibility of the museum, institution, or Federal Agency that has 
control of these cultural items. The National Park Service is not 
responsible for the determinations within this notice.
    In 1959-1960, Dr. Clarence H. Webb excavated approximately 32 
graves at the Colfax Ferry site (16-NA-15), Rapids Parish, LA. Most of 
the human remains were left in situ. Dr. Webb donated some of the 
unassociated funerary objects to the Williamson Museum in two separate 
gifts, one in 1961 and the second in 1991. Much of the first donation 
was destroyed by fire in 1965. The 668 unassociated funerary objects 
remaining in the Williamson Museum collection are 10 coffin nails, 5 
coffin fragments, 4 sherds of European pottery (blackware, blue-edged 
ware, or creamware), 1 Colono-ware pot sherd, 2 clay pipes, 1 French 
glass bottle, 1 glass lens fragment (possibly from eyeglasses), 487 
glass trade beads, 11 brass or copper bracelets, 1 brass button, 6 
brass trigger guard fragments, 23 cut brass fragments (7 with 
perforations), 1 cupreous object, 9 knives (butcher or clasp), 5 
spoons, 4 pairs of scissors, 13 crushed cans, 39 nails, 1 spike, 2 
pounds of nail fragments, 1 iron tripod,

[[Page 78249]]

2 iron kettle fragments, 2 wrought iron bars, 1 iron wedge, 4 iron rods 
(possibly ramrods), 2 bags of iron fragments, 1 rust fragment, 1 lead 
bar, 4 silver ear ornaments, 1 silver nose ring, 1 military hat plate 
(ca. 1812-1820), 15 triangular silver ornaments, 5 silver disks, 1 
worked silver strip (perforated), and 1 whetstone. Other items from the 
Colfax Ferry site (16-NA-15) are believed to be in the collection of 
the Louisiana Division of Archaeology, Baton Rouge, LA.
    A detailed assessment of these associated funerary objects was 
conducted by the Williamson Museum staff in consultation with 
representatives of the Tunica-Biloxi Indian Tribe of Louisiana and the 
Louisiana Division of Archaeology.
    The funerary objects recovered from the Colfax Ferry site (16-NA-
15) indicate that the 32 graves excavated by Dr. Webb were most likely 
interred between 1764-1820. Historiographic data, oral traditions, and 
information gained in consultation concerning the collection indicate 
that the Colfax Ferry site (16-NA-15) is located in the area occupied 
by the Pascagoula and Biloxi Indians during the late 18th and early 
19th centuries. Descendants of the Pascagoula and Biloxi Indians are 
represented by the Tunica-Biloxi Indian Tribe of Louisiana.
    Officials of the Williamson Museum have determined that, pursuant 
to 25 U.S.C. 3001, Sec. 2 (3)(B), these 668 cultural items are 
reasonably believed to have been placed with or near human remains at 
the time of death as part of a death-rite or ceremony and are believed, 
by a preponderance of the evidence, to have been removed from burial 
sites of Native American individuals. Officials of the Williamson 
Museum also have determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001, Sec. 2 
(2), there is a relationship of shared group identity that can be 
reasonably traced between these unassociated funerary objects and the 
Tunica-Biloxi Indian Tribe of Louisiana.
    Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to 
be culturally affiliated with these unassociated funerary objects 
should contact Dr. Pete Gregory, Director, Williamson Museum, 
Northwestern State University, Natchitoches, LA 71457, telephone (318) 
357-4364, before January 22, 2003. Repatriation of these unassociated 
funerary objects to the Tunica-Biloxi Indian Tribe of Louisiana may 
begin after that date if no additional claimants come forward.
    The Williamson Museum is responsible for notifying the Tunica-
Biloxi Indian Tribe of Louisiana that this notice has been published.

    Dated: September 30, 2002.
Robert Stearns,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 02-32175 Filed 12-20-02; 8:45 am]
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