[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 80 (Wednesday, April 26, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24752-24755]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-6259]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Inventory Completion: South Dakota State Historical 
Society, Archaeological Research Center, Rapid City, SD

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 
objects in the possession of the South Dakota State Historical Society, 
Archaeological Research Center, Rapid City, SD. The human remains and 
associated funerary objects were removed from eastern, central, and 
northwestern South Dakota, and southeastern Montana.
    This notice is published as part of the National Park Service's 
administrative responsibilities under NAGPRA, 25 U.S.C. 3003 (3) (d). 
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 objects. The National 
Park Service is not responsible for the determinations in this notice.
    A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by the 
Archaeological Research Center professional staff in consultation with 
representatives of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe of the Cheyenne River 
Reservation, South Dakota; Crow Creek Sioux Tribe of the Crow Creek 
Reservation, South Dakota; Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe of South 
Dakota; Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma; Lower Sioux Indian Community in the 
State of Minnesota; Northern Cheyenne Tribe of the Northern Cheyenne 
Indian Reservation, Montana; Oglala Sioux Tribe of the Pine Ridge 
Reservation, South Dakota; Omaha Tribe of Nebraska; Otoe-Missouria 
Tribe of Indians, Oklahoma; Prairie Island Indian Community in the 
State of Minnesota; Rosebud Sioux Tribe of the Rosebud Indian 
Reservation, South Dakota; Sac & Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa; 
Santee Sioux Nation, Nebraska; Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate of the Lake 
Traverse Reservation, South Dakota; Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort 
Berthold Reservation, North Dakota; Upper Sioux Indian Community, 
Minnesota; and Yankton Sioux Tribe of South Dakota.
    In 1980, human remains representing a minimum of one individual 
were removed from a pothunter's back dirt on a mound, 39BE46/80-70, in 
Beadle County, SD, during the James River Survey by Archaeological 
Research Center personnel. The human remains were curated at the 
Archaeological Research Center. No known individual was identified. The 
five associated funerary objects are four flakes and one mollusk shell 
fragment.
    Mounds in the James River Valley date to the Woodland period (A.D. 
1-1250).
    In 1998, human remains representing a minimum of six individuals 
were removed from a burial pit, 39BN124/99-63, by Archaeological 
Research Center personnel in Brown County, SD. The pit was disturbed by 
contractors mining gravel on private land. The human remains were 
curated at the Archaeological Research Center. No known individuals 
were identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
    Morphologically, the human remains are similar to other human 
remains from the Late Woodland period (A.D. 500-1400).
    In 1980, human remains representing a minimum of two individuals 
were removed from Ufford Mounds, 39CL2/97-91, in Clay County, SD, by 
South Dakota State Historical Preservation Office personnel. The human 
remains were exposed during agricultural activities. The human remains 
were curated at the W.H. Over Museum in Vermillion, SD, and transferred 
to the Archaeological Research Center in 1997. No known individuals 
were identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
    Earlier museum excavations at the Ufford Mounds support a date of 
Late Woodland or Initial Middle Missouri period (A.D. 500-1350).
    In 1990, human remains representing a minimum of one individual 
were removed from a hill slope above a lake, 39CD63/90-112, in 
Codington County, SD. A local pathologist determined that the human 
remains were not of forensic significance. The Codington County 
Sheriff's Department transferred the human remains to the 
Archaeological Research Center. No known individual was identified. No 
associated funerary objects are present.
    Based on the physical condition of the human remains they were most 
likely interred over 100 years ago. The human remains are most likely 
Native American because of their burial context and tooth wear pattern.
    At an unknown date, human remains representing a minimum of four 
individuals were removed from the Winter site, 39DE5/94-761, in Deuel 
County, SD. In 1988, the human remains were donated to Roy Lake State 
Park, Marshall County, SD. In 1994, the human remains were transferred 
to the Archaeological Research Center. No known individuals were 
identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
    The Winter site dates from Paleo-Indian to the Late Prehistoric 
period (10,000 B.C.- A.D. 1700).
    In 1989, human remains representing a minimum of one individual 
were removed from a stone-covered burial pit, 39HD73/90-109, by a 
farmer digging for rocks in Hand County, SD. A physical anthropologist 
determined that the human remains were not of forensic significance. 
The Hand County Sheriff's Department transferred the human

[[Page 24753]]

remains to the Archaeological Research Center. No known individual was 
identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
    The burial most likely dates to A.D. 990-1290 based on dating 
techniques done on behalf of the Hand County Sheriff's Department.
    In 1979, human remains representing a minimum of one individual 
were discovered eroding out of a talus slope, 39HN129/81-53, during a 
stock dam check in Harding County, SD, and collected by South Dakota 
Department of Agriculture personnel. In 1981, the human remains were 
transferred to the Archaeological Research Center. No known individual 
was identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
    In the mid-twentieth century, human remains representing a minimum 
of one individual were removed from DeGrey site, 39HU205/92-202, in 
Hughes County, SD, by a landowner. At an unknown date, the human 
remains were transferred to the Archaeological Research Center. No 
further documentation was found regarding the collection or transfer of 
the human remains. No known individual was identified. No associated 
funerary objects are present.
    The DeGrey site dates to the Woodland, Initial, and Extended 
Coalescent periods (A.D. 1-1675).
    In 1941, human remains representing a minimum of one individual 
were removed from Burial Pit 1 at the Scalp Creek site, 39GR1/94-199, 
in Gregory County, SD, by E.E. Meleen of the W.H. Over Museum, as part 
of a Works Projects Administration project. The human remains were 
curated at the W.H. Over Museum and transferred to the Archaeological 
Research Center in 1974. No known individual was identified. The one 
associated funerary object is a tanned hide fragment.
    The Scalp Creek site dates to the Late Woodland period (A.D. 800-
1200) and the Extended Coalescent Tradition (A.D. 1500-1675).
    In 1929, human remains representing a minimum of three individuals 
were removed from Montrose Mounds, 39MK1/93-13, in McCook County, SD, 
during road construction activities. The human remains were curated at 
the W.H. Over Museum and transferred to the Archaeological Research 
Center in 1974. No known individuals were identified. No associated 
funerary objects are present.
    The Montrose Mounds date to the Woodland period (A.D. 1-1000).
    Between 1930 to 1950, human remains representing a minimum of six 
individuals were discovered in Perkins County, SD, and donated to Fred 
Jennewein, a local museum owner. In 1980, the Jennewein collection was 
donated to the Cultural Heritage Center, Pierre, SD. In the 1990s, the 
human remains from the Jennewein collection were transferred to 
Archaeological Research Center and accessioned into the museum's 
collections (39PE/90-108, 94-749 to 94-752, and 96-200). No known 
individuals were identified. No associated funerary objects are 
present.
    Three of the individuals date to the Late Prehistoric period (A.D. 
500-1750) and the other three individuals have no known date.
    In 1935, human remains representing a minimum of one individual 
were discovered near Wilmot, 39RO/97-137, Roberts County, SD, by Mr. 
Jenson. The human remains were donated by Mr. Jenson to the W.H. Over 
Museum later that same year. In 1935, the W. H. Over Museum loaned the 
human remains to Dr. A.E. Jenks of the University of Minnesota. In 
1997, the University of Minnesota Wilford Archaeology Lab found the 
human remains in their collections and transferred them to the 
Archaeological Research Center. No known individual was identified. The 
one associated funerary object is a radius.
    The human remains date to the Archaic period (6000 B.C-A.D. 1).
    In 1923, human remains representing a minimum of one individual 
were removed from Daugherty Mounds, 39RO10/92-210B, in Roberts County, 
SD, by W.H. Over Museum personnel. In 1974, the human remains were 
transferred to the Archaeological Research Center. No known individual 
was identified. The two associated funerary objects are a copper bead 
and a small bone wristlet.
    The Daugherty Mounds date to the Woodland period (A.D. 500-1100).
    In 1994, human remains representing a minimum of one individual 
were exposed by road construction above Big Stone Lake, 39RO86/95-22, 
in Roberts County, SD, and collected by South Dakota's State 
Archaeologist. The human remains were curated at the Archaeological 
Research Center. No known individual was identified. No associated 
funerary objects are present.
    The human remains probably date to the Plains Village period (A.D. 
900-1700) based on ceramics found in the vicinity, but not in 
association with the burial.
    In 1979, human remains representing a minimum of one individual 
were found along the Missouri River between Cow and Spring Creeks, 
39SL/98-175, in Sully County, SD. The human remains were sent to the 
South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigations and transferred to the 
Archaeological Research Center at an unknown date. No known individual 
was identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
    In 1869, human remains representing a minimum of one individual 
were discovered at an unknown location in southeastern Montana. In 
1939, E.C. Coleman of Spearfish, SD, loaned the human remains to the 
Adams Museum, Deadwood, SD. The human remains were curated by the Adams 
Museum until 1995, when they were transferred to the Archaeological 
Research Center and accessioned into the museum's collections (24/97-
32). No known individual was identified. The three associated funerary 
objects are copper coiled earrings.
    The human remains date to the Historic period (post A.D. 1750).
    At an unknown date, human remains representing a minimum of 14 
individuals were brought to the Dacotah Prairie Museum, Aberdeen, Brown 
County, SD. The Dacotah Prairie Museum had no documentation related to 
the human remains. In 1993, the human remains were transferred to the 
Archaeological Research Center and accessioned into the museum's 
collections (93-10A). No known individuals were identified. No 
associated funerary objects are present.
    Based on morphological features and post-mortem treatment the human 
remains date to the Northeast Plains Woodland period (400 B.C.- A.D. 
1250).
    In 1965, human remains representing a minimum of one individual 
were donated to the Sioux City Public Museum, IA, by George Olson. The 
museum's accession record states that the human remains were found 9 
miles from Miles City, SD, however, no record of this city has ever 
been found. In 1994, the Sioux City Public Museum transferred the human 
remains to the Archaeological Research Center and accessioned into the 
museum's collections (94-748). No known individual was identified. No 
associated funerary objects are present.
    The morphological features of the cranium suggest a date of Middle 
Plains Woodland period (A.D. 400-900).
    At an unknown date, human remains representing a minimum of 16 
individuals were accessioned into the collections at the W.H. Over 
Museum. In 1997, the human remains were transferred to the 
Archaeological Research Center and accessioned into the museum's 
collections (97-119, 97-122 to 7, 97-131 to 6, and 99-288). No known 
individuals were identified. The four associated funerary objects are 
one canine tooth, one clay ball, one fish bone, and one seed.

[[Page 24754]]

    One individual dates to the Historic period (post A.D. 1850). The 
other 15 individuals have no provenience and are unassignable to a 
cultural period.
    In 2000, human remains representing a minimum of six individuals 
were anonymously donated to Augustana College, Sioux Falls, SD, and 
then transferred to the Archaeological Research Center and accessioned 
into the museum's collections (00-38 to 41). No known individuals were 
identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
    The human remains have no provenience and are unassignable to a 
cultural period.
    A physical anthropological assessment of the human remains for the 
70 individuals described above resulted in a determination that the 
individuals are most likely Native American. An evaluation by 
professional staff at the Archaeological Research Center of the manner 
and location of burial, and types of associated funerary objects found 
with the individuals also supports an identification of the human 
remains as Native American and are culturally unidentifiable to any 
present-day Indian tribe.
    The map of Indian Land Areas Judicially Established in 1978 
establishes most of South Dakota and large parts of Minnesota, and 
adjacent portions of North Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, Nebraska, and Iowa 
as historically Sioux aboriginal lands. The Sioux are represented today 
by the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe of the Cheyenne River Reservation, 
South Dakota; Crow Creek Sioux Tribe of the Crow Creek Reservation, 
South Dakota; Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe of South Dakota; Lower Sioux 
Indian Community in the State of Minnesota; Oglala Sioux Tribe of the 
Pine Ridge Reservation, South Dakota; Prairie Island Indian Community 
in the State of Minnesota; Rosebud Sioux Tribe of the Rosebud Indian 
Reservation, South Dakota; Santee Sioux Nation, Nebraska; Sisseton-
Wahpeton Oyate of the Lake Traverse Reservation, South Dakota; Upper 
Sioux Indian Community, Minnesota; and Yankton Sioux Tribe of South 
Dakota.
    Based on historical documents, oral history, and archeological 
data, the Cheyenne, Iowa, Omaha, Otoe & Missouria, and Sac & Fox people 
also occupied what is now present-day South Dakota and the surrounding 
region, and are represented today by the Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma; 
Northern Cheyenne Tribe of the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation, 
Montana; Omaha Tribe of Nebraska; Otoe-Missouria Tribe of Indians, 
Oklahoma; Sac & Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa; and Three 
Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation, North Dakota.
    Officials of the Archaeological Research Center have determined 
that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (9-10), the human remains described 
above represent the physical remains of 70 individuals of Native 
American ancestry. Officials of the Archaeological Research Center also 
have determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (3)(A), the 11 objects 
described 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 Archaeological 
Research Center have determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (2), a 
relationship of shared group identity cannot reasonably be traced 
between the Native American human remains and associated funerary 
objects and any present-day Indian tribe.
    In November 2005, the Archaeological Research Center requested that 
the Review Committee recommend disposition of the human remains of 70 
culturally unidentifiable human remains and 11 associated funerary 
objects to the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe of South Dakota on behalf 
of themselves and the Indian tribes listed above that comprise a 
consortium of 17 Indian tribes. The Review Committee considered the 
proposal at its November 2005 meeting in Albuquerque, NM, and 
recommended disposition of the human remains and associated funerary 
objects to the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe of South Dakota, on behalf 
of Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe of the Cheyenne River Reservation, South 
Dakota; Crow Creek Sioux Tribe of the Crow Creek Reservation, South 
Dakota; Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe of South Dakota; Iowa Tribe of 
Oklahoma; Lower Sioux Indian Community in the State of Minnesota; 
Northern Cheyenne Tribe of the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation, 
Montana; Oglala Sioux Tribe of the Pine Ridge Reservation, South 
Dakota; Omaha Tribe of Nebraska; Otoe-Missouria Tribe of Indians, 
Oklahoma; Prairie Island Indian Community in the State of Minnesota; 
Rosebud Sioux Tribe of the Rosebud Indian Reservation, South Dakota; 
Sac & Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa; Santee Sioux Nation, 
Nebraska; Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate of the Lake Traverse Reservation, 
South Dakota; Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation, 
North Dakota; Upper Sioux Indian Community, Minnesota; and Yankton 
Sioux Tribe of South Dakota.
    The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Review 
Committee (Review Committee) is responsible for recommending specific 
actions for disposition of culturally unidentifiable human remains. In 
July 2003, the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe of South Dakota submitted a 
request to the Archaeological Research Center for repatriation of the 
culturally unidentifiable human remains to themselves, on behalf of the 
Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe of the Cheyenne River Reservation, South 
Dakota; Crow Creek Sioux Tribe of the Crow Creek Reservation, South 
Dakota; Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe of South Dakota; Iowa Tribe of 
Oklahoma; Lower Sioux Indian Community in the State of Minnesota; 
Northern Cheyenne Tribe of the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation, 
Montana; Oglala Sioux Tribe of the Pine Ridge Reservation, South 
Dakota; Omaha Tribe of Nebraska; Otoe-Missouria Tribe of Indians, 
Oklahoma; Prairie Island Indian Community in the State of Minnesota; 
Rosebud Sioux Tribe of the Rosebud Indian Reservation, South Dakota; 
Sac & Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa; Santee Sioux Nation, 
Nebraska; Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate of the Lake Traverse Reservation, 
South Dakota; Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation, 
North Dakota; Upper Sioux Indian Community, Minnesota; and Yankton 
Sioux Tribe of South Dakota.
    A November 23, 2005, letter from the Designated Federal Officer, on 
behalf of the chair of the Review Committee, to the Archaeological 
Research Center transmitted the Review Committee's recommendation that 
the Archaeological Research Center effect disposition of the physical 
remains of 70 culturally unidentifiable human remains and 11 associated 
funerary objects to the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe of South Dakota on 
behalf of the 17 Indian tribes listed above contingent on the 
publication of a Notice of Inventory Completion in the Federal 
Register. This notice fulfills that requirement.
    Representatives of any Indian tribe that believes itself to be 
culturally affiliated with the human remains and associated funerary 
objects should contact Renee M. Boen, Repository Manager, 
Archaeological Research Center, 2425 E. St. Charles St., Rapid City, SD 
57703, telephone (605) 394-1936, before May 26, 2006. Disposition of 
the human remains and associated funerary objects to the Flandreau 
Santee Sioux Tribe of South Dakota on behalf

[[Page 24755]]

of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe of the Cheyenne River Reservation, 
South Dakota; Crow Creek Sioux Tribe of the Crow Creek Reservation, 
South Dakota; Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma; Lower Sioux Indian Community in 
the State of Minnesota; Northern Cheyenne Tribe of the Northern 
Cheyenne Indian Reservation, Montana; Oglala Sioux Tribe of the Pine 
Ridge Reservation, South Dakota; Omaha Tribe of Nebraska; Otoe-
Missouria Tribe of Indians, Oklahoma; Prairie Island Indian Community 
in the State of Minnesota; Rosebud Sioux Tribe of the Rosebud Indian 
Reservation, South Dakota; Sac & Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa; 
Santee Sioux Nation, Nebraska; Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate of the Lake 
Traverse Reservation, South Dakota; Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort 
Berthold Reservation, North Dakota; Upper Sioux Indian Community, 
Minnesota; Yankton Sioux Tribe of South Dakota; and themselves, may 
proceed after that date if no additional claimants come forward.
    The Archaeological Research Center is responsible for notifying the 
Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe of the Cheyenne River Reservation, South 
Dakota; Crow Creek Sioux Tribe of the Crow Creek Reservation, South 
Dakota; Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe of South Dakota; Iowa Tribe of 
Oklahoma; Lower Sioux Indian Community in the State of Minnesota; 
Northern Cheyenne Tribe of the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation, 
Montana; Oglala Sioux Tribe of the Pine Ridge Reservation, South 
Dakota; Omaha Tribe of Nebraska; Otoe-Missouria Tribe of Indians, 
Oklahoma; Prairie Island Indian Community in the State of Minnesota; 
Rosebud Sioux Tribe of the Rosebud Indian Reservation, South Dakota; 
Sac & Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa; Santee Sioux Nation, 
Nebraska; Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate of the Lake Traverse Reservation, 
South Dakota; Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation, 
North Dakota; Upper Sioux Indian Community, Minnesota; and Yankton 
Sioux Tribe of South Dakota that this notice has been published.

    Dated: April 11, 2006.
Sherry Hutt,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. E6-6259 Filed 4-25-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-50-S