[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 129 (Thursday, July 6, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38420-38421]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-10506]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Inventory Completion: University of Nebraska State 
Museum, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln NE

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 University of Nebraska State Museum, 
University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE. The human remains were 
collected from Dakota, Douglas, and Thurston Counties, NE and from an 
unknown location.
    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. The National Park Service is not responsible 
for the determinations in this notice.
    A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by University 
of Nebraska State Museum professional staff in consultation with 
representatives of the Omaha Tribe of Nebraska.
    At an unknown time, human remains representing a minimum of four 
individuals were removed from an unknown location. In 1998, the human 
remains, which were labelled ``Omaha 2,3,4,5'' were found in Bessey 
Hall on the campus of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The human 
remains show evidence of having been the subject of scientific 
analysis, but the sample numbers cannot be related to any records of 
prior study. No known individuals were identified. No associated 
funerary objects are present.
    The condition of the human remains is consistent with archeological 
derivation. Given the designation ``Omaha'' on the labels, and that 
prior studies on Omaha human remains have been conducted under 
University of Nebraska auspices, it has been determined that the 
individuals are affiliated with the Omaha Tribe of Nebraska.
    On December 8, 1932, human remains representing a minimum of two 
individuals were removed from the Omaha Creek site in Dakota and 
Thurston Counties, NE, by the University of Nebraska Archaeological 
Survey. No known individuals were identified. The 71 associated 
funerary objects are 8 copper thimbles, 19 copper feather holders, 5 
metal buttons, 8 textile scraps, 2 mirror fragments, 27 iron fragments, 
1 chipped stone tool fragment, and 1 gunflint.
    Based on the condition of the human remains, the individuals have 
been determined to be Native American. Based on the apparent historic 
age of the human remains, the location of the burial, and the historic 
nature of the associated funerary objects, the individuals have been 
determined to be affiliated with the Omaha Tribe of Nebraska.
    In 1907, human remains representing a minimum of four individuals 
were removed from the Ponca Creek District in Douglas County, NE, by 
Robert F. Gilder under the auspices of the University of Nebraska State 
Museum. The site is approximately 10 miles north of the city of Omaha 
on the south side of Ponca Creek. No known individuals were identified. 
No associated funerary objects are present.
    Preservation resembles that of human remains from historic sites. A 
tag on the human remains states ``from presumably Omaha burial.'' Based 
on the condition of the human remains, the individuals have been 
determined to be Native American. Based on the apparent historic age 
and location of burial, the individuals have been determined to be 
affiliated with the Omaha Tribe of Nebraska.
    Officials of the University of Nebraska have determined that, 
pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (9-10), the human remains described above 
represent the physical remains of ten individuals of Native American 
ancestry. Officials of the University of Nebraska also have determined 
that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (3)(A), the 71 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 University of Nebraska 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

[[Page 38421]]

remains and associated funerary objects and the Omaha Tribe of 
Nebraska.
    Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to 
be culturally affiliated with the human remains and associated funerary 
objects should contact Priscilla Grew, NAGPRA Coordinator, University 
of Nebraska State Museum, 307 Morrill Hall, Lincoln, NE 68588-0338, 
telephone (402) 472-3779 before August 7, 2006. Repatriation of the 
human remains and associated funerary objects to the Omaha Tribe of 
Nebraska may proceed after that date if no additional claimants come 
forward.
    The University of Nebraska is responsible for notifying the Omaha 
Tribe of Nebraska that this notice has been published.

    Dated: May 19, 2006.
Sherry Hutt,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. E6-10506 Filed 7-5-06; 8:45 am]
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