[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 232 (Friday, December 2, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 87061-87062]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-28948]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-22420; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]


Notice of Inventory Completion: Peabody Museum of Natural 
History, Yale University, New Haven, CT

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Peabody Museum of Natural History has completed an 
inventory of human remains, in consultation with the appropriate Alaska 
Native Tribes, and has determined that there is a cultural affiliation 
between the human remains and present-day Alaska Native Tribes. Lineal 
descendants or 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 should submit a written 
request to the Peabody Museum of Natural History. If no additional 
requestors come forward, transfer of control of the human remains to 
the Alaska Native Tribes stated in this notice may proceed.

DATES: Lineal descendants or 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 should submit a 
written request with information in support of the request to the 
Peabody Museum of Natural History at the address in this notice by 
January 3, 2017.

ADDRESSES: Professor David Skelly, Director, Yale Peabody Museum of 
Natural History, P.O. Box 208118, New Haven, CT 06520-8118, telephone 
(203) 432-3752.

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 under 
the control of the Peabody Museum of Natural History, Yale University, 
New Haven, CT. The human remains were removed from Passage Island, 
Kenai Peninsula Borough, 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.

Consultation

    A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by Peabody 
Museum of Natural History professional staff in consultation with a 
representative of the Native Village of Chenega (aka Chanega), the 
Native Village of Eyak (Cordova), the Native Village of Nanwalek (aka 
English Bay), the Native Village of Port Graham, the Native Village of 
Tatitlek, and the Chugach Alaska Corporation.

History and Description of the Remains

    In 1931, human remains representing one individual were removed 
from a burial on Passage Island in Kenai Peninsula Borough, AK. 
According to historical documentation, the burial was uncovered by a 
local fox farmer and was subsequently collected by the Yale Peabody 
Alaska Expedition. The human remains represent one individual 
identified as a probable female, aged approximately 20-25 years. No 
known individuals were identified. No associated funerary objects are 
present.
    Osteological examination as well as contextual data identify these 
human remains as representing an individual of Native American 
ancestry. Archaeologist Frederica de Laguna identifies the Passage 
Island burial site as a local expression of the Third Period of the 
Kachemak Bay Tradition. Recent scholars have dated the Kachemak Bay 
Tradition from circa 1000 B.C. to A.D. 900. Additional scholars have 
identified the Kachemak Bay Tradition people as Pacific Eskimos. The 
Pacific Eskimo people are today represented by the Native Village of 
Chenega, the Native Village of Eyak, the Native Village of Nanwalek, 
the Native Village of Port Graham, and the Native Village of Tatitlek.

Determinations Made by the Peabody Museum of Natural History, Yale 
University

    Officials of the Peabody Museum of Natural History have determined 
that:
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(9), the human remains described 
in this notice represent the physical remains of one individual of 
Native American ancestry.
     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 of the Native Village of Chenega (aka 
Chanega), the Native Village of Eyak (Cordova), the Native Village of 
Nanwalek (aka English Bay), the Native Village of Port Graham, and the 
Native Village of Tatitlek.

[[Page 87062]]

Additional Requestors and Disposition

    Lineal descendants or 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 should submit a 
written request with information in support of the request to Professor 
David Skelly, Director, Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History, P.O. 
Box 208118, New Haven, CT 06520-8118, telephone (203) 432-3752, by 
January 3, 2017. After that date, if no additional requestors have come 
forward, transfer of control of the human remains to the Chugach Alaska 
Corporation as an agent for the Native Village of Chenega (aka 
Chanega), the Native Village of Eyak (Cordova), the Native Village of 
Nanwalek (aka English Bay), the Native Village of Port Graham, and the 
Native Village of Tatitlek may proceed.
    The Peabody Museum of Natural History is responsible for notifying 
the of the Native Village of Chenega (aka Chanega), the Native Village 
of Eyak (Cordova), the Native Village of Nanwalek (aka English Bay), 
the Native Village of Port Graham, the Native Village of Tatitlek, and 
the Chugach Alaska Corporation that this notice has been published.

    Dated: November 15, 2016.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2016-28948 Filed 12-1-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4312-52-P