[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 121 (Thursday, June 24, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36111-36114]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-15335]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Inventory Completion: Cranbrook Institute of Science, 
Bloomfield Hills, MI

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

    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 
objects in the possession of the Cranbrook Institute of Science, an 
institutional member of the Cranbrook Educational Community, Bloomfield 
Hills, MI. The human remains and associated funerary objects were 
removed from Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, and Wayne Counties, MI.
    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 objects. The National 
Park Service is not responsible for the determinations in this notice.
    A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by the 
Cranbrook Institute of Science professional staff in consultation with 
representatives of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, 
Michigan, on behalf of the Michigan Anishnaabek Cultural Preservation 
and Repatriation Alliance (MACPRA), a non-federally recognized Indian 
group.
    On an unknown date, human remains representing a minimum of one 
individual were removed from Birmingham, Oakland County, MI. On April 
1937, the City Coroner of Birmingham gave the human remains to the 
museum (CIS reference 116). No

[[Page 36112]]

known individual was identified. No associated funerary objects are 
present.
    Museum records indicate that the individual is a female and 
probably Native American. There was no stratigraphic report or 
supplemental information available to help determine further cultural 
affiliation, and thus, the human remains were classified as culturally 
unidentifiable.
    On an unknown date, human remains representing a minimum of one 
individual were removed from the Gibraltar Site, Monroe County, MI. On 
February 18, 1938, Darrel J. Richards gave the human remains to the 
museum (CIS reference 280). No known individual was 
identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
    Originally museum records indicated that, ``With no artifacts or 
temporal information to work with, no consultation could be 
conducted.'' Therefore, the human remains were classified as culturally 
unidentifiable. The individual described above has the same donor, date 
of donation, and site name as the human remains and associated funerary 
objects described in the next paragraph, but were assigned different 
reference numbers.
    On an unknown date, human remains representing a minimum of four 
individuals were removed from the Gibraltar Site, Monroe County, MI. On 
February 18, 1938, Darrel J. Richards gave the human remains to the 
museum (CIS reference 281). No known individuals were 
identified. The 25 associated funerary objects are 24 pottery fragments 
and 1 container of unidentified material.
    The human remains are possibly Native American. Museum records 
indicate that with ``no additional information to work with, no 
additional no dialog could be initiated.'' Therefore, the human remains 
were classified as culturally unidentifiable.
    On an unknown date, human remains representing a minimum of three 
individuals were removed from the New Baltimore Site, Macomb County, 
MI. On June 13, 1940, the human remains were donated by Gwynn Cushman 
to the museum (CIS reference 911). No known individuals were 
identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
    According to museum records, the human remains are the co-mingled 
remains of at least three individuals that date from either the 
Prehistoric or early Historic Period. Museum records indicate that ``no 
linear descendants could be substantiated; therefore no consultation 
could be conducted.'' Thus, the human remains were classified as 
culturally unidentifiable.
    On an unknown date, human remains representing a minimum one 
individual were removed from Mill Street, Auburn Heights, Oakland 
County, MI. On April 29, 1951, the human remains were received from Mr. 
and Mrs. Chester Wade and given to the museum (CIS reference 
6873). No known individual was identified. The eight 
associated funerary objects are seven pieces of trade silver, including 
a brooch and several wrist cuffs/bracelets, and a fragment of cloth 
(CIS reference 6874).
    According to museum records, the human remains are probably a 
female Native American. The file of record indicates that, ``even with 
the trade silver items'', ``there was no actual indication of 
stratigraphic or artifact association on which to begin dialogue.'' 
Therefore ``no consultation could be conducted.'' These human remains 
were thus classified as culturally unidentifiable.
    On an unknown date, human remains representing a minimum of two 
individuals were removed from a location in Oakland County, MI. In May 
1951, the human remains were given to the museum by an unidentified 
source (CIS reference 7520). No known individuals were 
identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
    The human remains are the co-mingled remains of at least two 
individuals that are probably Native American based on context and bone 
condition. Museum records indicate, ``from context and bone condition - 
not morphology, these skeletal remains might possibly be American 
Indian but with such little identification and no other information, no 
consultation could be conducted.'' Therefore, the human remains were 
classified as culturally unidentifiable.
    On an unknown date, human remains representing a minimum of four 
individuals were removed from a location in Oakland County, MI. In May 
1951, the human remains were given to the museum by an unidentified 
source (CIS reference 7522). No known individuals were 
identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
    According to museum records the human remains are possibly Native 
American based on bone condition. The records also indicate that, 
``from context and bone condition - not morphology, these skeletal 
remains might possibly be American Indian but with such little 
identification and no other information, no consultation could be 
conducted.'' Therefore, the human remains were classified as culturally 
unidentifiable.
    On an unknown date, human remains representing a minimum of one 
individual were removed from a location in Oakland County, MI. In May 
1951, the human remains were given to the museum by an unidentified 
source (CIS reference 7523). No known individual was 
identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
    Museum records indicate that, ``from context and bone condition - 
not morphology, these skeletal remains might possibly be American 
Indian but with such little identification and no other information, no 
consultation could be conducted.'' Therefore, the human remains were 
classified as culturally unidentifiable.
    On an unknown date, human remains representing a minimum of one 
individual were removed from a location in Oakland County, MI. In May 
1951, the human remains were given to the museum by an unidentified 
source (CIS reference 7524). No known individual was 
identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
    According to museum records, the human remains are probably Native 
American from the Prehistoric or Early Historic Period. Records also 
indicate that, ``from context and bone condition - not morphology, 
these skeletal remains might possibly be American Indian but with such 
little identification and no other information, no consultation could 
be conducted.'' Therefore, the human remains were classified as 
culturally unidentifiable.
    On an unknown date, human remains representing a minimum of eight 
individuals were removed from Kennet Road, Pontiac, Oakland County, MI, 
by the Pontiac Police Department (case number 194312). On April 15, 
1968, the human remains were given to the museum by Warren L. Wittry 
(CIS reference 9734). No known individuals were identified. No 
associated funerary objects are present.
    Museum records indicate that, ``With no additional association to 
use as a basis, no consultation could be conducted.'' Therefore, the 
human remains were classified as culturally unidentifiable.
    On an unknown date, human remains representing a minimum of one 
individual were removed from the homestead of Henry Barnes, 822 Shady 
Hollow Circle, Bloomfield Hills, Oakland County, MI. In the 1960s, the 
human remains were given to the museum by Warren L. Wittry (CIS 
reference 9735). No known individual was identified. No 
associated funerary objects are present.
    According to museum records, the human remains are probably a 
female Native American. Records also indicate that the ``remains are 
too incomplete'' and ``no beginning was found for the

[[Page 36113]]

initiation of consultations.'' Therefore, the human remains were 
classified as culturally unidentifiable.
    On an unknown date, human remains representing a minimum of one 
individual were removed from near Coolidge Road, Troy, Oakland County, 
MI. On November 9, 1963, the human remains were given to the museum by 
Detective Mortensen, Troy Police Department (CIS reference 
9736). No known individual was identified. No associated 
funerary objects are present.
    According to museum records, the individual is a mature male, and 
probably Native American. Records indicate that no basis was found for 
the initiation of consultations. Therefore, the human remains were 
classified as culturally unidentifiable.
    On an unknown date, human remains representing a minimum of one 
individual were removed from near Plymouth, Wayne County, MI. On an 
unknown date, the museum received the human remains from an 
unidentified source (CIS reference 9737). No known individual 
was identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
    According to museum records, the human remains are probably a 
female Native American. Records also indicate that, ``no further 
information was available, no consultation could be conducted.'' 
Therefore, the human remains were classified as culturally 
unidentifiable.
    On an unknown date, human remains representing a minimum of two 
individuals were removed from a site at Hamlin and Rochester Roads, 
Rochester, Oakland County, MI. On December 17, 1970, the human remains 
were given to the museum by Dr. John Burton, Oakland County Medical 
Examiner (CIS reference 9738 and 9739). No known 
individuals were identified. No associated funerary objects are 
present.
    According to museum records, the human remains are possibly Native 
American. One of the individuals exhibits a pattern of wear consistent 
with that known for aboriginal populations. Records also indicate that, 
``necessary practical information was not available; therefore no 
consultation could be conducted.'' Therefore, the human remains were 
classified as culturally unidentifiable.
    On an unknown date, human remains representing a minimum of one 
individual were removed from an unknown location, but probably in 
Michigan. On an unknown date, the human remains were given to the 
museum by an unidentified source (CIS reference 9816). No 
known individual was identified. No associated funerary objects are 
present.
    According to museum records, the human remains are probably Native 
American based on femoral shaft morphology. Records also indicate that 
geographical and collection data were not available, and therefore, no 
consultation could be conducted. Thus, the human remains were 
classified as culturally unidentifiable.
    On an unknown date, human remains representing a minimum of one 
individual were removed from an unknown location, but probably in 
Michigan. On an unknown date, the human remains were given to the 
museum by an unidentified source (CIS reference 9817). No 
known individual was identified. No associated funerary objects are 
present.
    According to museum records, the human remains are probably a 
female Native American based on femoral shaft morphology. Records also 
indicate that geographical and collection data were not available, and 
therefore, no consultation could be conducted. Thus, the human remains 
were classified as culturally unidentifiable.
    On an unknown date, human remains representing a minimum of two 
individuals were removed from the Norton Site, Romeo, in Macomb County, 
MI. On an unknown date, the human remains were given to the museum (CIS 
reference 10123 and 10124). No known individuals were 
identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
    According to museum records, the human remains are probably Native 
American. An assessment dated October 30, 1994, notes that, ``one tooth 
which is not human, and a non-human long bone midshaft fragment'' was 
intermingled with the human remains at the time the osteology review 
was conducted. It is unknown what was done with the non-human material. 
The Norton site is identified as Late Woodland Younge tradition based 
on ``animal bones'' and ``fragments of pottery'' as evidenced in ``pits 
dug by the occupants.'' No other dating was performed at the Norton 
site; therefore no consultation could be conducted. Thus, the human 
remains were classified as culturally unidentifiable.
    On an unknown date, human remains representing a minimum of four 
individuals were removed from the Drake Site, Farmington Hills, Oakland 
County, MI. In August 1977, the human remains were given to the museum 
by Charles Martinez and Rick Zurel, local archeologists, (CIS reference 
10138). No known individuals were identified. The associated 
funerary object is one box of excavated material, which contains chert 
fragments, soil samples, and pottery fragments.
    According to museum records, the human remains are Native American. 
According to Mr. Martinez, the Drake site falls into the early Younge 
Tradition or late Wayne ceramic tradition, which dates to approximately 
A.D. 700-800. Records indicate that there was a lack of information 
pertaining to linear descendants; therefore no consultation could be 
conducted by the museum. Thus, the human remains were classified as 
culturally unidentifiable.
    The above-described human remains came to the museum through a 
variety of channels, but primarily as the result of construction work 
in southeastern Michigan over four decades prior to 1980. All have been 
identified as Native American based on skeletal morphology and/or 
archeological context. All have been determined to be culturally 
unidentifiable.
    Officials of the Cranbrook Institute of Science have determined 
that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(9), the human remains described above 
represent the physical remains of at least 39 individuals of Native 
American ancestry. Officials of the Cranbrook Institute of Science also 
have determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(A), the 34 objects 
described above are 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 Cranbrook 
Institute of Science have determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 
3001(2), a relationship of shared group identity cannot be reasonably 
traced between the Native American human remains and associated 
funerary objects and any present-day Indian tribe.
    The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Review 
Committee (Review Committee) is responsible for recommending specific 
actions for disposition of culturally unidentifiable human remains. In 
April 2008, a request for the disposition of the Native American human 
remains was officially submitted to the Cranbrook Institute of Science 
by the Little Traverse Bay Bands of the Odawa Indians on behalf of the 
Michigan Anishnaabek Cultural Preservation and Repatriation Alliance 
(MACPRA), a non-federally recognized Indian group, whose members are 
the following Federally-recognized Indian tribes: Bay Mills Indian 
Community, Michigan; Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa 
Indians, Michigan; Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, Michigan; Lac Vieux 
Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians, Michigan; Little River 
Band of Ottawa

[[Page 36114]]

Indians, Michigan; Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, 
Michigan; Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi, Michigan; Pokagon 
Band of Potawatomi Indians, Michigan and Indiana; Saginaw Chippewa 
Indian Tribe of Michigan; and Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa 
Indians of Michigan. These Indian tribes are considered to be the 
Anishnaabek People of the Great Lakes region.
    On July 30, 2008, the Cranbrook Institute requested that the Review 
Committee recommend disposition of 60 culturally unidentifiable human 
remains to the Indian tribes, as aboriginal occupants of Michigan. The 
Review Committee considered the proposal at its October 11-12, 2008, 
meeting and recommended disposition of the human remains to the Indian 
tribes listed above, as they are considered to be the Anishnaabek 
People of the Great Lakes region, and the aboriginal occupants of the 
area currently referenced as Michigan.
    An April 3, 2009, letter from the Designated Federal Officer, 
writing on behalf of the Secretary of the Interior, transmitted the 
authorization for the museum to effect disposition of the physical 
remains of 39 of the 60 culturally unidentifiable individuals 
contingent on the publication of a Notice of Inventory Completion in 
the Federal Register. This notice fulfills that requirement. In the 
same letter, the Secretary recommended the transfer of the associated 
funerary objects to the Indian tribes listed above to the extent 
allowed by Federal, state, or local law.
    Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to 
be culturally affiliated with the human remains and/or associated 
funerary objects should contact Michael Stafford, PhD., Director, 
Cranbrook Institute of Science, PO Box 801, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48303, 
telephone (248) 645-3204, before July 26, 2010. Disposition of the 
human remains and associated funerary objects to the Bay Mills Indian 
Community, Michigan; Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa 
Indians, Michigan; Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, Michigan; Lac Vieux 
Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians, Michigan; Little River 
Band of Ottawa Indians, Michigan; Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa 
Indians, Michigan; Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi, Michigan; 
Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians, Michigan and Indiana; Saginaw 
Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan; and Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of 
Chippewa Indians of Michigan, may proceed after that date if no 
additional claimants come forward.
    The Cranbrook Institute of Science is responsible for notifying the 
Bay Mills Indian Community, Michigan; Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and 
Chippewa Indians, Michigan; Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, Michigan; 
Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians, Michigan; 
Little River Band of Ottawa Indians, Michigan; Little Traverse Bay 
Bands of Odawa Indians, Michigan; Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the 
Potawatomi, Michigan; Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians, Michigan and 
Indiana; Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan; and Sault Ste. 
Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians of Michigan that this notice has been 
published.

    Dated: June 18, 2010
David Tarler,
Acting Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2010-15335 Filed 6-23-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-50-S