[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 181 (Wednesday, September 19, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53600-53601]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-18481]


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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 Siskiyou County, CA.
    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 Klamath 
Tribes, Oregon and Modoc Tribe of Oklahoma.
    In 1925, human remains representing a minimum of one individual 
were removed from near Lower Klamath Lake, Siskiyou County, CA, by 
Stanley G. Jewett. Mr. Jewett donated the human remains to the museum 
in 1955. No known individual was identified. No associated funerary 
objects are present.
    In July 1925, human remains representing a minimum of one 
individual were removed from Tule Lake, Siskiyou County, CA, by Mr. 
Jewett. Mr. Jewett donated the human remains to museum in 1955. No 
known individual was 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 Klamath tribes. The Klamath Tribes, Oregon 
and Modoc Tribe of Oklahoma have a shared ancestry. Following the 
conclusion of the Modoc wars, the Modoc people were relocated to 
Oklahoma. In 1888, the Modoc reservation was established. In 1909, the 
Modoc were granted permission to return to Oregon. Those who returned 
became part of the Klamath Tribes, Oregon. The Klamath Tribes, Oregon 
and Modoc Tribe of Oklahoma have formally agreed that repatriations of 
human remains from the historically documented territory of the Klamath 
tribes should go to the Klamath Tribes, Oregon for reburial.
    Based on provenience, historical documentation, and tribal 
consultation, officials of the Slater Museum of Natural History, 
University of Puget Sound reasonably believe that the human remains 
share a common ancestry with members of the Klamath and Modoc tribes. 
Descendants of the Klamath and Modoc tribes are members of the Klamath 
Tribes, Oregon and Modoc Tribe of Oklahoma.
    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 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 Klamath Tribes, 
Oregon and the Modoc Tribe of Oklahoma.
    Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to 
be culturally affiliated with the human remains should contact Dr. 
Peter Wimberger, Slater Museum of Natural History, 1500 N. Warner, 
Tacoma, WA 98416, (253) 879-2784, before October 19, 2007.

[[Page 53601]]

Repatriation of the human remains to the Klamath Tribes, Oregon may 
proceed after that date if no additional claimants come forward.
    The Slater Museum of Natural History, University of Puget Sound is 
responsible for notifying the Klamath Tribes, Oregon and Modoc Tribe of 
Oklahoma that this notice has been published.

    Dated: August 29, 2007.
Sherry Hutt,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. E7-18481 Filed 9-18-07; 8:45 am]
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