[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 109 (Monday, June 7, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 31841]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-12661]



[[Page 31841]]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Inventory Completion: Denver Museum of Nature & 
Science, Denver, CO

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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    Notice is here given in accordance with the Native American Graves 
Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), 25 U.S.C. 3003, of the 
completion of an inventory of human remains in the possession of the 
Denver Museum of Nature & Science, Denver, CO. The human remains were 
removed from an unknown location in Florida.
    This notice is published as part of the National Park Service's 
administrative responsibilities under NAGPRA, 25 U.S.C. 3003 (d)(3). 
The determinations within this notice are the sole responsibility of 
the museum, institution, or Federal agency that has control of the 
Native American human remains. The National Park Service is not 
responsible for the determinations within this notice.
    A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by the Denver 
Museum of Nature & Science professional staff in consultation with 
representatives of the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida; Seminole 
Nation of Oklahoma; and Seminole Tribe of Florida, Dania, Big Cypress, 
Brighton, Hollywood & Tampa Reservations.
    Between 1910 and 1911, human remains representing a minimum of one 
individual were removed from an unknown location in Florida. Sometime 
between 1910 and 1911, the human remains came into the possession of 
Jesse H. Bratley. After Mr. Bratley's death in 1948, the human remains 
came into the possession of Mr. Bratley's daughter, Hazel Bratley. In 
1961, Mary W.A. Crane and Francis V. Crane purchased the human remains 
from Ms. Bratley. In 1983, the Cranes donated the human remains to the 
museum, and the museum accessioned the human remains into the 
collection in the same year. No known individual was identified. No 
associated funerary objects are present.
    Based on provenience, museum records, research, and consultations 
with the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma; and Seminole Tribe of Florida, 
Dania, Big Cypress, Brighton, Hollywood & Tampa Reservations, the human 
remains are determined to be Native American of Seminole ancestry. Mr. 
Bratley resided in Homestead, FL, in 1910 and moved to Miami, FL, in 
1911. During this time, Mr. Bratley photographed Seminole people. His 
records mentioned that he acquired ``sacral & pubic bones and some 
smaller ones,'' and recorded the culture of the human remains as 
``Seminole.'' Historical and archeological evidence establish that 
Seminole and Miccosukee people have been residents in central and 
southern Florida for several hundred years. In consultations, Seminole 
delegates confirmed their affiliation with earlier historic American 
Indians in Florida and indicated that the individual is probably one of 
their ancestors. The Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida were 
consulted and requested that the human remains be reburied in Florida 
but did not indicate a direct cultural affiliation with the human 
remains.
    Officials of the Denver Museum of Nature & Science have determined 
that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (9-10), the human remains listed above 
represent the physical remains of a minimum of one individual of Native 
American ancestry. Officials of the Denver Museum of Nature & Science 
also have determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (2), there is a 
relationship of shared group identity that can be reasonably traced 
between the Native American human remains and the Seminole Nation of 
Oklahoma and Seminole Tribe of Florida, Dania, Big Cypress, Brighton, 
Hollywood & Tampa Reservations.
    Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to 
be culturally affiliated with the human remains should contact Dr. Ella 
Maria Ray, NAGPRA Officer, Department of Anthropology, Denver Museum of 
Nature & Science, 2001 Colorado Boulevard, Denver, CO 80205, telephone 
(303) 370-6056, before July 7, 2004. Repatriation of the human remains 
to the Seminole Tribe of Florida, Dania, Big Cypress, Brighton, 
Hollywood & Tampa Reservations and Seminole Nation of Oklahoma may 
proceed after that date if no additional claimants come forward.
    The Denver Museum of Nature & Science is responsible for notifying 
the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida; Seminole Nation of 
Oklahoma; and Seminole Tribe of Florida, Dania, Big Cypress, Brighton, 
Hollywood & Tampa Reservations that this notice has been published.

    Dated: April 23, 2004.
John Robbins,
Assistant Director, Cultural Resources.
[FR Doc. 04-12661 Filed 6-4-04; 8:45 am]
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