[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 36 (Friday, February 24, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11619-11620]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-03608]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0022684; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]


Notice of Inventory Completion: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 
Alaska Region, Anchorage, AK

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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[[Page 11620]]

SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Alaska Region, has 
completed an inventory of human remains and associated funerary 
objects, 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 associated funerary objects 
and present-day Indian tribes or Native Hawaiian organization. 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 and associated funerary 
objects should submit a written request to the Alaska Region USFWS. If 
no additional requestors come forward, transfer of control of the human 
remains and associated funerary objects to the lineal descendants, 
Indian tribes, or Native Hawaiian organizations stated in this notice 
may proceed.

DATES: Lineal descendants or representatives of any Indian tribes or 
Native Hawaiian organizations, 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 Alaska Region USFWS at the address in 
this notice by March 27, 2017.

ADDRESSES: Edward J. DeCleva, Regional Historic Preservation Officer, 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Alaska Region, 1011 East Tudor Road, 
MS-235, Anchorage, AK 99503, telephone (907) 786-3399, 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 Alaska Region 
USFWS. The human remains and associated funerary objects were removed 
from site MT-1, Mikisagmiut Bay, Nunivak Island, 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 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 Alaska 
Region USFWS professional staff in consultation with representatives of 
the Native Village of Mekoryuk, the NIMA Corporation, and the Calista 
Corporation.

History and Description of the Remains

    In 1973, human remains representing, at minimum, one individual 
were removed from site MT-1 (now known as site 49-XNI-032), Mikisagmiut 
Bay, Nunivak Island, AK, during excavations by University of Oregon 
archeologists. No known individuals were identified. The seven 
associated funerary objects include one awl, one bone tube, two shaped 
bones, one ivory labret, one plain gravel-tempered potsherd, and one 
bone line shuttle or sled runner.
    Nunivak Island is traditional territory of the Central-Yup'ik-
speaking Nunivak Eskimo or Nuniwarmiut people. Oral tradition and 
archeological investigations indicate that Nunivak Island was peopled 
at least 2600 years ago and most likely continuously occupied by 
descendants of the initial population. The nature of the funerary 
artifacts suggests a late prehistoric age for the burials. The human 
remains are thought to represent a woman, most likely a young adult. 
The human remains and associated artifacts were transferred to the 
University of Oregon Museum of Natural and Cultural History in 2005 by 
the archeologist responsible for collecting them.

Determinations Made by the Alaska Region USFWS

    Officials of the Alaska Region USFWS 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(3)(A), the seven 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), there is a relationship of 
shared group identity that can be reasonably traced between the Native 
American human remains and associated funerary objects and the 
Nuniwarmiut people of Alaska and Native Village of Mekoryuk.

Additional Requestors and Disposition

    Lineal descendants or representatives of any Indian tribe or Native 
Hawaiian organization not identified in this notice that wishes 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 Edward DeCleva, Regional Historic 
Preservation Officer, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Alaska Region, 
1011 East Tudor Road, MS-235, Anchorage, AK 99503, telephone (907) 786-
3399, email [email protected], by March 27, 2017. After that date, 
if no additional requestors have come forward, transfer of control of 
the human remains and associated funerary objects to the Nuniwarmiut 
people and Native Village of Mekoryuk may proceed.
    Alaska Region USFWS is responsible for notifying the Nuniwarmiut 
people and Native Village of Mekoryuk that this notice has been 
published.

    Dated: January 6, 2017
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2017-03608 Filed 2-23-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4312-52-P