[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 84 (Wednesday, May 3, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20630-20631]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-08880]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-23188; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]


Notice of Intent To Repatriate Cultural Items: U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service, Alaska Region, Anchorage, AK

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Alaska Region, Anchorage, 
AK (Alaska Region USFWS), in consultation with the appropriate Indian 
tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations, has determined that the 
cultural items listed in this notice meet the definition of 
unassociated funerary objects. Lineal descendants or representatives of 
any Indian tribe or Native Hawaiian organization not identified in this 
notice that wish to claim these cultural items should submit a written 
request to the Alaska Region USFWS. If no additional claimants come 
forward, transfer of control of the cultural items 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 
claim these cultural items should submit a written request with 
information in support of the claim to the Alaska Region USFWS, at the 
address in this notice by June 2, 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. 3005, of the intent to repatriate cultural items under the 
control of the USFWS Alaska Region that meet the definition of 
unassociated funerary objects under 25 U.S.C. 3001.
    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 cultural items. The National Park Service is not responsible 
for the determinations in this notice.

History and Description of the Cultural Items

    In 1967, 42 cultural items were removed from site NH-1, now 
identified as 49-XNI-003, in Nash Harbor, Nunivak Island, AK. They were 
transferred to the University of Oregon Museum of Natural and Cultural 
History in 2005. The 42 unassociated funerary objects are 1 girl's 
triangular wooden bowl; 2 fragments of a bone sled runner; 1 bone arrow 
shaft; 1 plain Nash Harbor ceramic vessel with grass and gravel temper; 
1 ground slate whetstone; 1 piece of slate debitage; 33 pieces of Nash 
ceramics (some conjoined); and 2 matching fragments of a wood shaft.
    In 1973, two cultural items were removed from site EN-1, now 
identified as 49-XNI-015, at Cape Etolin, Nunivak Island, AK. They were 
transferred to the University of Oregon Museum of Natural and Cultural 
History in 2005. The two unassociated funerary objects are 2 shotgun 
shells including shot and one bead.
    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 inhabited 
at least 2600 years ago and most likely continuously occupied by 
descendants of the initial population. The nature of the funerary 
artifacts suggests a post-contact age.

Determinations Made by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Alaska 
Region

    Officials of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Alaska Region, 
have determined that:
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(B), the 44 cultural items 
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 and are believed, by a preponderance of the 
evidence, to have been removed from a specific burial site of a Native 
American individual.
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(2), there is a relationship of 
shared group identity that can be reasonably traced between the 
unassociated funerary objects and the Nuniwarmiut people of Alaska, 
today represented by the Native Village of Mekoryuk.

[[Page 20631]]

Additional Requestors and Disposition

    Lineal descendants or representatives of any Indian tribe or Native 
Hawaiian organization not identified in this notice that wish to claim 
these cultural items should submit a written request with information 
in support of the claim to 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], by June 2, 2017. After that date, 
if no additional claimants have come forward, transfer of control of 
the unassociated funerary objects to the Native Village of Mekoryuk may 
proceed.
    The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Alaska Region, is responsible 
for notifying the Native Village of Mekoryuk that this notice has been 
published.

    Dated: March 29, 2017.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2017-08880 Filed 5-2-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4312-52-P