[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 177 (Thursday, September 13, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52387-52388]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-18107]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Inventory Completion: Alutiiq Museum and Archaeological 
Repository, Kodiak, 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 in the possession of 
Alutiiq Museum and Archaeological Repository, Kodiak, AK. The human 
remains were removed from unknown locations on Kodiak Island, 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 Alutiiq 
Museum and Archaeological Repository professional staff in consultation 
with representatives of Afognak Native Corporation; Native Village of 
Afognak (formerly the Village of Afognak); Native Village of Akhiok; 
Akhiok-Kaguyak, Inc.; Native Village of Karluk; Natives of Kodiak, 
Inc.; Koniag, Inc.; Native Village of Larsen Bay; Lesnoi Village (aka 
Woody Island); Old Harbor Native Corporation; Village of Old Harbor; 
Ouzinkie Native Corporation; Native Village of Ouzinkie; Native Village 
of Port Lions; and Sun'aq Tribe of Kodiak (formerly the Shoonaq' Tribe 
of Kodiak).
    In 1995, human remains representing a minimum of one individual 
were transferred to the Alutiiq Museum and Archaeological Repository 
from Kodiak Area Native Association's Alutiiq Culture Center (number 
AM59). Information regarding the collection of the human remains is 
unknown, although it is reasonably believed that the human remains were 
removed from Kodiak Island. No known individual was identified. No 
associated funerary objects are present.
    A review of the human remains suggests they are archeological. 
Humic staining on the bones and worn dentition with no evidence of 
modern dentistry suggests a prehistoric person, likely from one of 
Kodiak's many well preserved archeological sites.
    At an unknown date, human remains representing a minimum of one 
individual were removed from an unknown location on Kodiak Island, AK. 
In 1991, the human remains were turned over to the Alaska State 
Troopers by Dr. Keith Hediger. In 1992, the Alaska State Office of 
History and Archaeology examined the human remains and determined the 
human remains were Native American and most likely Alutiiq. The Alaska 
State Troopers transferred the human remains to the Kodiak Area Native 
Association's Alutiiq Culture Center. In 1995, the human remains were 
transferred to the Alutiiq Museum and Archaeological Repository (number 
AM62). No known individual was identified. No associated funerary 
objects are present.
    Archeological data indicate that modern Alutiiqs evolved from 
archeologically documented societies of the Kodiak region and can trace 
their ancestry back over 7,500 years in the region. As such, the human 
remains are reasonably believed to be Native American and most closely 
affiliated with the modern Kodiak Alutiiq people. Specifically, the 
human remains are from an area traditionally used by the Afognak Native 
Corporation; Native Village of Afognak; Native Village of Akhiok; 
Akhiok-Kaguyak, Inc.; Native Village of Karluk; Natives of Kodiak, 
Inc.; Koniag, Inc.; Native Village of Larsen Bay; Lesnoi Village (aka 
Woody Island); Old Harbor Native Corporation; Village of Old Harbor; 
Ouzinkie Native Corporation; Native Village of Ouzinkie; Native Village 
of Port Lions; and Sun'aq Tribe of Kodiak.
    Officials of the Alutiiq Museum and Archaeological Repository have 
determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (9-10), the human remains 
described above represent the physical remains of two individuals of 
Native American ancestry. Officials of the Alutiiq Museum and 
Archaeological Repository 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 Afognak Native Corporation; Native Village of Afognak; Native 
Village of Akhiok; Akhiok-Kaguyak, Inc.; Native Village of Karluk; 
Natives of Kodiak, Inc.; Koniag, Inc.; Native Village of Larsen Bay; 
Lesnoi Village (aka Woody Island); Old Harbor Native Corporation; 
Village of Old Harbor; Ouzinkie Native Corporation; Native Village of 
Ouzinkie; Native Village of Port Lions; and Sun'aq Tribe of Kodiak.
    Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to 
be culturally affiliated with the human remains should contact Sven 
Haakanson, Jr., Executive Director, Alutiiq Museum and Archaeological 
Repository, 215 Mission Rd., Suite 101, Kodiak, AK 99615, telephone 
(907) 486-7004, before October 15, 2007. Repatriation of the human 
remains to the Afognak Native Corporation; Native Village of Afognak; 
Native Village of Akhiok; Akhiok-Kaguyak, Inc.; Native Village of 
Karluk; Natives of Kodiak, Inc.; Koniag, Inc.; Native Village of Larsen 
Bay; Lesnoi Village (aka Woody Island); Old Harbor Native Corporation; 
Village of Old Harbor; Ouzinkie Native Corporation; Native Village of 
Ouzinkie; Native Village of Port Lions; and Sun'aq Tribe of Kodiak may 
proceed after that date if no additional claimants come forward.
    Alutiiq Museum and Archaeological Repository is responsible for 
notifying the Afognak Native Corporation; Native Village of Afognak; 
Native Village of Akhiok; Akhiok-Kaguyak, Inc.; Native Village of 
Karluk; Natives of Kodiak, Inc.; Koniag, Inc.; Native Village of Larsen 
Bay; Lesnoi Village (aka Woody Island); Old Harbor Native Corporation; 
Village of Old Harbor; Ouzinkie Native Corporation; Native Village of 
Ouzinkie; Native Village of Port Lions; and Sun'aq Tribe of Kodiak that 
this notice has been published.


[[Page 52388]]


    Dated: August 22, 2007
Sherry Hutt,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. E7-18107 Filed 9-12-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-50-S