[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 45 (Tuesday, March 8, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12118-12120]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-05064]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-20249; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]


Notice of Inventory Completion: University of Denver Museum of 
Anthropology, Denver, CO

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The University of Denver Museum of Anthropology has completed 
an inventory of human remains and associated funerary objects,

[[Page 12119]]

in consultation with the appropriate Indian tribes or Native Hawaiian 
organizations, and has determined that there is no cultural affiliation 
between the human remains and associated funerary objects and any 
present-day Indian tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations. 
Representatives of any Indian tribe or Native Hawaiian organization not 
identified in this notice that wish to request transfer of control of 
these human remains and associated funerary objects should submit a 
written request to the University of Denver Museum of Anthropology. If 
no additional requestors come forward, transfer of control of the human 
remains and associated funerary objects to the Indian tribes or Native 
Hawaiian organizations stated in this notice may proceed.

DATES: Representatives of any Indian tribe or Native Hawaiian 
organization not identified in this notice that wish to request 
transfer of control of these human remains and associated funerary 
objects should submit a written request with information in support of 
the request to the University of Denver Museum of Anthropology at the 
address in this notice by April 7, 2016.

ADDRESSES: Anne Amati, University of Denver Museum of Anthropology, 
2000 E Asbury Avenue, Denver, CO 80208, telephone (303) 871-2687, email 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 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 under the control of the University of 
Denver Museum of Anthropology, Denver, CO. The human remains and 
associated funerary objects were removed from unknown locations.
    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.

Consultation

    A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by the 
University of Denver Museum of Anthropology professional staff in 
consultation with representatives of the Arapaho Tribe of the Wind 
River Reservation, Wyoming; Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes, Oklahoma 
(previously listed as the Cheyenne-Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma); 
Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe of the Cheyenne River Reservation, South 
Dakota; Comanche Nation, Oklahoma; Crow Creek Sioux Tribe of the Crow 
Creek Reservation, South Dakota; Hopi Tribe of Arizona; Northern 
Cheyenne Tribe of the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation, Montana; 
Ohkay Owingeh, New Mexico (previously listed as the Pueblo of San 
Juan); Pueblo of Acoma, New Mexico; Pueblo of Cochiti, New Mexico; 
Pueblo of Isleta, New Mexico; Pueblo of Jemez, New Mexico; Pueblo of 
San Felipe, New Mexico; Pueblo of Santa Ana, New Mexico; Pueblo of 
Santa Clara, New Mexico; Southern Ute Indian Tribe of the Southern Ute 
Reservation, Colorado; The Osage Nation (previously listed as the Osage 
Tribe); Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation, North 
Dakota; Ute Indian Tribe of the Uintah & Ouray Reservation, Utah; Ute 
Mountain Tribe of the Ute Mountain Reservation, Colorado, New Mexico & 
Utah; Wichita and Affiliated Tribes (Wichita, Keechi, Waco & 
Tawakonie), Oklahoma; Ysleta del Sur Pueblo (previously listed as the 
Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo of Texas); and Zuni Tribe of the Zuni 
Reservation, New Mexico.
    The following tribes were also invited to participate but were not 
involved in consultations: Apache Tribe of Oklahoma; Crow Tribe of 
Montana; Fort Sill Apache Tribe of Oklahoma; Jicarilla Apache Nation, 
New Mexico; Kewa Pueblo, New Mexico (previously listed as the Pueblo of 
Santo Domingo); Kiowa Indian Tribe of Oklahoma; Mescalero Apache Tribe 
of the Mescalero Reservation, New Mexico; Navajo Nation, Arizona, New 
Mexico & Utah; Oglala Sioux Tribe (previously listed as the Oglala 
Sioux Tribe of the Pine Ridge Reservation, South Dakota); Paiute Indian 
Tribe of Utah (Cedar Band of Paiutes, Kanosh Band of Paiutes, Koosharem 
Band of Paiutes, Indian Peaks Band of Paiutes, and Shivwits Band of 
Paiutes) (previously listed as Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah (Cedar City 
Band of Paiutes, Kanosh Band of Paiutes, Koosharem Band of Paiutes, 
Indian Peaks Band of Paiutes, and Shivwits Band of Paiutes)); Pawnee 
Nation of Oklahoma; Pueblo of Laguna, New Mexico; Pueblo of Nambe, New 
Mexico; Pueblo of Picuris, New Mexico; Pueblo of Pojoaque, New Mexico; 
Pueblo of San Ildefonso, New Mexico; Pueblo of Sandia, New Mexico; 
Pueblo of Taos, New Mexico; Pueblo of Tesuque, New Mexico; Pueblo of 
Zia, New Mexico; Rosebud Sioux Tribe of the Rosebud Indian Reservation, 
South Dakota; San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe of Arizona; Shoshone Tribe 
of the Wind River Reservation, Wyoming; Shoshone-Bannock Tribes of the 
Fort Hall Reservation; and Standing Rock Sioux Tribe of North & South 
Dakota.
    Hereafter, all tribes listed in this section are referred to as 
``The Consulted and Notified Tribes.''

History and Description of the Remains

    At an unknown date, human remains representing, at minimum, 66 
individuals (DU #s 6003, 6007, 6008, 6012, 6013, 6016-6053, 6057, 6075, 
6135, 6165-6172, 6182, 6199, and 6401-6430) were removed from multiple 
unknown locations. The human remains came into the possession of the 
University of Denver Museum of Anthropology at an unknown date and were 
entered into museum collection records in 1987 or 1988. In 1988, all 
human and animal bones and casts in the possession of the Museum of 
Anthropology were moved from the Mary Reed Building to the Science Hall 
on the University of Denver campus. Museum staff believes these human 
remains were in the possession of the University of Denver Museum of 
Anthropology prior to the 1988 move and were catalogued as part of that 
move. No known individuals were identified. The four associated 
funerary objects (associated with DU #6199) are four animal teeth.
    At an unknown date, human remains representing, at minimum, six 
individuals (DU #s 6061, 6068-6070, and 6181) were removed from 
multiple unknown locations. The human remains came into the possession 
of the University of Denver Museum of Anthropology between the 1930s 
and 1950s and were entered into museum collection records in 1987 or 
1988. During NAGPRA Inventory research, previous museum staff linked 
these individuals to Dr. E.B. Renaud, who was at DU from the 1930s to 
the 1950s. No known individuals were identified. No associated funerary 
objects are present.
    At an unknown date, human remains representing, at minimum, 17 
individuals (6601-6617) were removed from multiple unknown locations. 
The human remains were acquired by the University of Denver Department 
of Anthropology in 1982 from the Colorado Women's College. The human 
remains were acquired as teaching aids and used in Dr. Jonathan Haas's 
``dig'' lab. The lab recreated an archeology site in the Science Hall 
basement and ran between 1983 and 1985. No known individuals were 
identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
    At an unknown date, human remains representing, at minimum, five

[[Page 12120]]

individuals (DU #s 1995.1.5, 1995.1.9, 1995.1.10, 1995.1.12, 1995.1.14) 
were removed from multiple unknown locations. The human remains were 
part of the collection of Theodore Sowers. Mr. Sowers, a student of Dr. 
E.B. Renaud, graduated from the University of Denver with a BA in 
Anthropology in 1938. Following his death, Mr. Sowers' daughters, Katy 
Sickles and Jenny Bauer, inherited the collection. They donated the 
entire collection (over 3,000 catalog records) to the University of 
Denver Museum of Anthropology in 1995 to facilitate repatriation. No 
known individuals were identified. The eight associated funerary 
objects (associated with 1995.1.5) are five worked non-human bones, one 
worked horn, one animal tooth, and one black stone pipe.
    At an unknown date, human remains representing, at minimum, two 
individuals (DU #s No number-Individual 1 and 2) were removed from 
multiple unknown locations. Previous museum staff first documented 
these human remains during the NAGPRA Inventory in 1995. There is no 
additional information associated with these individuals. No known 
individuals were identified. No associated funerary objects are 
present.
    The University of Denver Museum of Anthropology is a research 
museum with archeological collections focused in the southwestern 
United States. The 96 individuals described above have little to no 
documentation associated with them and no provenience information. 
Colorado has been their home for between 19 and 70 years.
    Pursuant to 43 CFR 10.16, the Secretary of the Interior may make a 
recommendation for a transfer of control of culturally unidentifiable 
human remains and associated funerary objects. In September 2015, the 
University of Denver Museum of Anthropology requested that the 
Secretary, through the Native American Graves Protection and 
Repatriation Review Committee, recommend the proposed transfer of 
control of the culturally unidentifiable Native American human remains 
and associated funerary objects in this notice to Southern Ute Indian 
Tribe of the Southern Ute Reservation, Colorado and Ute Mountain Tribe 
of the Ute Mountain Reservation, Colorado, New Mexico & Utah. The 
Review Committee, acting pursuant to its responsibility under 25 U.S.C. 
3006(c)(5), considered the request at its November 2015 meeting and 
recommended to the Secretary that the proposed transfer of control 
proceed. A January 2016 letter on behalf of the Secretary of Interior 
from the Associate Director, Cultural Resources, Partnerships, and 
Science, transmitted the Secretary's independent review and concurrence 
with the Review Committee that:
     The University of Denver Museum of Anthropology consulted 
with every appropriate Indian tribe or Native Hawaiian organization, 
and
     the University of Denver Museum of Anthropology may 
proceed with the agreed upon transfer of control of the culturally 
unidentifiable human remains and associated funerary objects to the 
Southern Ute Indian Tribe of the Southern Ute Reservation, Colorado and 
Ute Mountain Tribe of the Ute Mountain Reservation, Colorado, New 
Mexico & Utah.
    Transfer of control is contingent on the publication of a Notice of 
Inventory Completion in the Federal Register. This notice fulfills that 
requirement.

Determinations Made by the University of Denver Museum of Anthropology

    Officials of the University of Denver Museum of Anthropology have 
determined that:
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(9), the human remains described 
in this notice are Native American based on the broader collecting 
practices of the University of Denver Museum of Anthropology and the 
findings of a physical anthropologist employed by the University of 
Denver prior to November 1995.
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(9), the human remains described 
in this notice represent the physical remains of 96 individuals of 
Native American ancestry.
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(A), the 12 objects described 
in this notice 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.
     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.
     Pursuant to 43 CFR 10.16, the disposition of the human 
remains and associated funerary objects will be to Southern Ute Indian 
Tribe of the Southern Ute Reservation, Colorado and Ute Mountain Tribe 
of the Ute Mountain Reservation, Colorado, New Mexico & Utah.

Additional Requestors and Disposition

    Representatives of any Indian tribe or Native Hawaiian organization 
not identified in this notice that wish to request transfer of control 
of these human remains and associated funerary objects should submit a 
written request with information in support of the request to Anne 
Amati, University of Denver Museum of Anthropology, 2000 E. Asbury 
Avenue, Denver, CO 80208, telephone (303) 871-2687, email 
[email protected], by April 7, 2016. After that date, if no additional 
requestors have come forward, transfer of control of the human remains 
and associated funerary objects to the Southern Ute Indian Tribe of the 
Southern Ute Reservation, Colorado and Ute Mountain Tribe of the Ute 
Mountain Reservation, Colorado, New Mexico & Utah may proceed.
    The University of Denver Museum of Anthropology is responsible for 
notifying The Consulted and Notified Tribes that this notice has been 
published.

    Dated: February 3, 2016.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2016-05064 Filed 3-7-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4312-50-P