[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 196 (Tuesday, October 13, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52504-52505]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-24593]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Inventory Completion: Riverside Metropolitan Museum, 
Riverside, CA

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 and associated funerary 
object in the control of the Riverside Metropolitan Museum, Riverside, 
CA. The human remains were removed from Santa Barbara 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 and associated funerary object. The National 
Park Service is not responsible for the determinations in this notice.
    A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by the 
Riverside Metropolitan Museum professional staff in consultation with 
the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Mission Indians of the Santa Ynez 
Reservation, California.
    At an unknown date, human remains representing a minimum of one 
individual were removed from the site for the Potter Hotel, Santa 
Barbara, Santa Barbara County, CA, during the excavation for the 
construction of the hotel. Cornelius E. Rumsey donated the human 
remains to the Riverside Metropolitan Museum in 1925. No known 
individual was identified. The one associated funerary object is a 
stone pestle.
    Historic records identify the Chumash Indians as the inhabitants of 
the Santa Barbara area.
    In 1949, human remains representing a minimum of one individual 
were removed from an unknown burial on San Miguel Island, Channel 
Islands, Santa Barbara County, CA. Oscar Perrine donated the human 
remains to the Riverside Metropolitan Museum in 1962. No known 
individual was identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
    San Miguel Island is one of the Channel Islands, which are 
historically associated with the Island Chumash people. Archeologists 
have suggested that there is considerable cultural continuity in this 
area. The establishment of Spanish missions resulted in the dispersal 
of the Island Chumash. The 109 Chumash Indians, who settled on the 
small plot of land near the Santa Ynez Mission given to them in 1855, 
support a historical connection between the present-day Santa Ynez Band 
of Chumash Mission Indians of the Santa Ynez Reservation, California, 
and the Island Chumash people.
    Based on collections research, geographic location, and historic 
documentation, the human remains are of Chumash origin. Descendants of 
the Chumash are members of the Federally-recognized Santa Ynez Band of 
Chumash Mission Indians of the Santa Ynez Reservation, California.
    Officials of the Riverside Metropolitan Museum 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 Riverside Metropolitan Museum also 
have determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (3)(A), the one object 
described above is reasonably believed to have been placed with or near 
individual human remains at the time of death or later as part of the 
death rite or ceremony. Lastly, officials of the Riverside Metropolitan 
Museum 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 associated funerary 
object and the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Mission Indians of the Santa 
Ynez Reservation, California.
    Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to 
be culturally affiliated with the human remains and associated funerary 
object should contact Ennette Morton, Museum Director, Riverside 
Metropolitan Museum, 3580 Mission Inn Avenue, Riverside, CA 92501, 
telephone (951) 826-5273, before November 12, 2009. Repatriation of the 
human remains and associated funerary object to the Santa Ynez Band of 
Chumash Mission Indians of the Santa Ynez Reservation, California may 
proceed after that date if no additional claimants come forward.
    The Riverside Metropolitan Museum is responsible for notifying the 
Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Mission Indians of the Santa Ynez 
Reservation, California that this notice has been published.


[[Page 52505]]


    Dated: September 8, 2009
Sherry Hutt,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. E9-24593 Filed 10-9-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-50-S