[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 232 (Friday, December 2, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Page 87056]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-28953]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-22422; 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 Indian 
tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations, and has determined that there 
is a cultural affiliation between the human remains and present-day 
Indian tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations. 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 lineal descendants, 
Indian tribes, or Native Hawaiian organizations 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 a burial ground 
within one mile of Holy Cross Village, Yukon-Koyukuk 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 the Peabody 
Museum of Natural History professional staff in consultation with a 
representative of Holy Cross Village. Multiple attempts to contact 
Anvik Village and Shageluk Native Village were unsuccessful.

History and Description of the Remains

    In 1913, human remains representing, at minimum, one individual 
were removed from a burial ground located within one mile of Holy 
Cross, Yukon-Koyukuk Borough, AK. In 1931, the remains were obtained by 
the Yale Peabody Museum Alaska Expedition. The human remains represent 
one individual identified as a female, aged approximately 16-20 years 
old. No known individuals were identified. No associated funerary 
objects are present.
    Archeological evidence, historic documentation, and tribal 
knowledge suggest the lower Yukon River region, including the location 
of the modern site of Holy Cross Village, was occupied both 
prehistorically and historically by the Deg Hit'an. The proximity of 
the burial to the modern site of Holy Cross Village as well as the 
continuity of culture exhibited in the region supports a cultural 
affiliation between the individual human remains and the Deg Hit'an of 
Holy Cross Village. The locality of the burial as well as the 
osteological data support the finding that these remains represent an 
individual of Native American ancestry.

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 Holy Cross Village.

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 Holy Cross Village 
may proceed.
    The Peabody Museum of Natural History is responsible for notifying 
Holy Cross Village that this notice has been published.

    Dated: November 15, 2016.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2016-28953 Filed 12-1-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4312-52-P