[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 225 (Wednesday, November 22, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Page 67635]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-19791]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Inventory Completion: Slater Museum of Natural History, 
University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, WA

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 
Slater Museum of Natural History, University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, 
WA. The human remains were removed from an area north of the Native 
Village of Barrow, 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. The National Park Service is not responsible 
for the determinations in this notice.
    A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by Slater 
Museum of Natural History, University of Puget Sound professional staff 
and a consultant in consultation with representatives of the Native 
Village of Barrow Inupiat Traditional Government.
    In the summer of 1953, human remains representing a minimum of two 
individuals were removed from a site between the Native Village of 
Barrow, AK, and the Naval Arctic Research Laboratory, by Stewart 
Lowther, a geologist. In July 2006, after Dr. Lowther retired, the 
human remains were brought to the Slater Museum of Natural History. 
There is no additional information regarding the collection and 
subsequent transfer of the human remains to the museum. No known 
individuals were identified. No associated funerary objects are 
present.
    The individuals are most likely of Native American ancestry as 
indicated by morphological features. The geographical location where 
the human remains were recovered is consistent with the historically 
documented territory of the Native Village of Barrow Inupiat 
Traditional Government. Furthermore, based on information provided 
during consultation with tribal representatives, there is a reasonable 
belief that the human remains share a common ancestry with members of 
the Native Village of Barrow Inupiat Traditional Government.
    Officials of the Slater Museum of Natural History have determined 
that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (9-10), the human remains described 
above likely represent the physical remains of two individuals of 
Native American ancestry. Officials of the Slater Museum of Natural 
History 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 Native Village 
of Barrow Inupiat Traditional Government.
    Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to 
be culturally affiliated with the human remains should contact Dr. 
Peter Wimberger, Director, Slater Museum of Natural History, 1500 N. 
Warner, Tacoma, WA 98416, telephone (253) 879-2784, before December 22, 
2006. Repatriation of the human remains to the Native Village of Barrow 
Inupiat Traditional Government may proceed after that date if no 
additional claimants come forward.
    The Slater Museum of Natural History is responsible for notifying 
the Native Village of Barrow Inupiat Traditional Government that this 
notice has been published.

    Dated: October 30, 2006.
Sherry Hutt,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. E6-19791 Filed 11-21-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-50-S