[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 101 (Friday, May 23, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Page 30152]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-11573]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Inventory Completion: Alaska State Office, Bureau of 
Land Management, Anchorage, AK; Arizona State Museum, University of 
Arizona, Tucson, AZ; and Museum of the Aleutians, Unalaska, 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 control of the 
Alaska State Office, Bureau of Land Management, Anchorage, AK, and in 
the possession of the Arizona State Museum, University of Arizona, 
Tucson, AZ, and Museum of the Aleutians, Unalaska, AK. The human 
remains were removed from St. Lawrence 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 Alaska State 
Office, Bureau of Land Management; Arizona State Museum; Museum of the 
Aleutians; and Smithsonian Institution professional staff in 
consultation with representatives of the Native Village of Savoonga.
    In 1928, human remains representing a minimum of two individuals 
were removed from an unknown location on St. Lawrence Island, AK, by 
the now-deceased Otto Geist. The human remains were reportedly 
collected from the surface and the condition of the bone indicates 
exposure to the elements. The human remains were donated to the 
University of Alaska Museum at an unknown date. In 1941, the human 
remains were sent to the Arizona State Museum as part of an exchange. 
No known individuals were identified. No associated funerary objects 
are present.
    At an unknown date in the 1950s or 1960s, human remains 
representing a minimum of one individual were removed from an unknown 
location on St. Lawrence Island, AK, by an unknown person. The human 
remains were probably collected from the surface because the condition 
of the bone indicates exposure to the elements. The human remains came 
into the possession of the now-deceased Dr. William Laughlin of the 
University of Wisconsin at an unknown date and under unknown 
circumstances. In 1999, the human remains were sent to the Museum of 
the Aleutians. No known individual was identified. No associated 
funerary objects are present.
    Cranial characteristics of all three sets of human remains are 
highly consistent with Native American ancestry. The Native Village of 
Savoonga is located on St. Lawrence Island. Ethnohistorical data 
indicate a continuity of cultural occupation of St. Lawrence Island 
from approximately A.D. 300 to the present. Oral tradition presented by 
representatives of the Native Village of Savoonga supports this 
evidence of occupation. Based on the provenience and condition of the 
human remains, the human remains are determined to be Native American 
and ancestors of the members of the Native Village of Savoonga.
    Officials of the Alaska State Office, Bureau of Land Management; 
Arizona State Museum; and Museum of the Aleutians have determined that, 
pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (9-10), the human remains described above 
represent the physical remains of three individuals of Native American 
ancestry. Officials of the Alaska State Office, Bureau of Land 
Management; Arizona State Museum; and Museum of the Aleutians 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 
Savoonga.
    Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to 
be culturally affiliated with the human remains should contact Dr. 
Robert E. King, Alaska State NAGPRA Coordinator, Bureau of Land 
Management, 222 W. 7th Avenue, Box 13, Anchorage, AK 99513-7599, 
telephone (907) 271-5510, before June 23, 2008. Repatriation of the 
human remains to the Native Village of Savoonga may proceed after that 
date if no additional claimants come forward.
    The Alaska State Office, Bureau of Land Management is responsible 
for notifying the Native Village of Savoonga that this notice has been 
published.

    Dated: April 7, 2008.
Sherry Hutt,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. E8-11573 Filed 5-22-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-50-S