[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 236 (Friday, December 9, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 73266-73267]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-23867]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Inventory Completion: University of Alaska Museum, 
Fairbanks, AK

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 and associated funerary 
object in the possession of the University of Alaska Museum, Fairbanks, 
AK. The human remains and associated funerary object were removed from 
the base of College Hill in Fairbanks, AK, and the vicinity of Nenana, 
AK.
    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 in this notice are the sole responsibility of the 
museum, institution, or Federal agency that has control of the Native 
American human remains and associated funerary object. The National 
Park Service is not responsible for the determinations in this notice.
    A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by the 
University of Alaska Museum professional staff in consultation with 
representatives of the Nenana Native Association.
    In the 1920s, human remains representing a minimum of one 
individual were removed from the base of College Hill in Fairbanks, AK, 
by the McCombe brothers during the excavation for the foundation of a 
cabin. No known individual was identified. The one associated funerary 
object is a dentalium bead.
    In 1939, human remains representing a minimum of two individuals 
were removed from an unspecified location in the vicinity of Nenana, 
AK, by Dr. Froelich Rainey. No known individuals were identified. No 
associated funerary objects are present.
    In 1954, human remains representing a minimum of one individual 
were removed from an unspecified location in the vicinity of Nenana, 
AK, by the U.S. Marshall's office in Fairbanks, AK. No known 
individuals were identified. No associated funerary objects are 
present.

[[Page 73267]]

    Based on skeletal morphology, geographic location, and associated 
artifacts, the four individuals have been identified as Native 
American, affiliated with Athabascan culture. Although the age of the 
human remains is unknown, officials of the University of Alaska Museum 
have determined that the human remains and associated funerary objects 
date to the time period of the Athabascan occupation of the Nenana and 
Fairbanks area. The determination of cultural affiliation with the 
Nenana Native Association has been based upon oral tradition and the 
continuity of Athabascan culture in the Nenana and Fairbanks area. 
Present-day descendants of Athabascans in the Nenana and Fairbanks area 
are members of the Nenana Native Association.
    Officials of the University of Alaska Museum have determined that, 
pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (9-10), the human remains described above 
represent the physical remains of four individuals of Native American 
ancestry. Officials of the University of Alaska Museum also have 
determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (3)(A), the one object 
described above is 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 University of Alaska 
Museum 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 associated funerary 
object and the Nenana Native Association.
    Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to 
be culturally affiliated with the human remains and associated funerary 
object should contact James Whitney, Archaeology Collections Manager, 
University of Alaska Museum, 907 Yukon Dr., Fairbanks, AK 99775-6960, 
telephone (907) 474-6943, before January 9, 2006. Repatriation of the 
human remains and associated funerary object to the Nenana Native 
Association may proceed after that date if no additional claimants come 
forward.
    The University of Alaska Museum is responsible for notifying Doyon, 
Ltd., Nenana Native Association, and Toghotthele Corporation that this 
notice has been published.

    Dated: November 10, 2005.
Sherry Hutt,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 05-23867 Filed 12-8-05; 8:45 am]
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