[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 228 (Tuesday, November 25, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 71675-71676]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-28003]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Inventory Completion: Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson 
Center, Anchorage, 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 the 
Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center, Anchorage, AK. The human remains 
were removed from near Point Hope and Point 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 the 
Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center professional staff. Consultations 
with representatives from the Village of Anaktuvuk Pass; Arctic Slope 
Regional Corporation; Atqasuk Village (Atkasook); Native Village of 
Barrow Inupiat Traditional Government; Kaktovik Village; Native Village 
of Nuiqsut; Native Village of Point Hope; Native Village of Point Lay; 
and Village of Wainwright have yet to occur.
    On an unknown date, human remains representing a minimum of two

[[Page 71676]]

individuals were removed from areas in or around Point Hope and Point 
Barrow, AK, by Colonel M.R. ``Muktuk'' Marston of Anchorage, AK. In 
1955, Col. Marston donated the human remains to the Cook Inlet 
Historical Society. In 1968, the Cook Inlet Historical Society donated 
their collection to the Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center. In 2008, 
the ownership of the Cook Inlet Historical Society collection was 
transferred to the Municipality of Anchorage and placed into the 
custody of the Anchorage Museum Association, governing body of the 
Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center. No known individuals were 
identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
    Col. Marston collected Native American human remains and objects 
over a 15 year period in northern Alaska. Based on the donor's history 
and general provenience of removal, the human remains are reasonably 
determined to be of Native American descent and closely related to the 
Inupiaq people. Specifically, the human remains are from an area 
traditionally used by the descendants of the Inupiaq that are members 
of the Village of Anaktuvuk Pass; Arctic Slope Regional Corporation; 
Atqasuk Village (Atkasook); Native Village of Barrow Inupiat 
Traditional Government; Kaktovik Village; Native Village of Nuiqsut; 
Native Village of Point Hope; Native Village of Point Lay; and Village 
of Wainwright.
    Officials of the Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center 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 Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson 
Center 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 Village of 
Anaktuvuk Pass; Arctic Slope Regional Corporation; Atqasuk Village 
(Atkasook); Native Village of Barrow Inupiat Traditional Government; 
Kaktovik Village; Native Village of Nuiqsut; Native Village of Point 
Hope; Native Village of Point Lay; and Village of Wainwright.
    Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to 
be culturally affiliated with the human remains should contact Darian 
LaTocha, Collections Manager, Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center, 121 
West 7th Avenue, Anchorage, AK 99501, telephone (907) 343-6197, before 
December 26, 2008. Repatriation of the human remains to the Village of 
Anaktuvuk Pass; Arctic Slope Regional Corporation; Atqasuk Village 
(Atkasook); Native Village of Barrow Inupiat Traditional Government; 
Kaktovik Village; Native Village of Nuiqsut; Native Village of Point 
Hope; Native Village of Point Lay; and Village of Wainwright may 
proceed after that date if no additional claimants come forward.
    The Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center is responsible for 
notifying the Village of Anaktuvuk Pass; Arctic Slope Regional 
Corporation; Atqasuk Village (Atkasook); Native Village of Barrow 
Inupiat Traditional Government; Kaktovik Village; Native Village of 
Nuiqsut; Native Village of Point Hope; Native Village of Point Lay; and 
Village of Wainwright that this notice has been published.

    Dated: October 23, 2008
Sherry Hutt,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. E8-28003 Filed 11-24-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-50-S