[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 105 (Friday, June 2, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25620-25621]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-11446]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-23291; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]


Notice of Inventory Completion: Kansas State Historical Society, 
Topeka, KS

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Kansas State Historical Society 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 Kansas State 
Historical Society. 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 
Kansas State Historical Society at the address in this notice by July 
3, 2017.

ADDRESSES: Dr. Robert J. Hoard, Kansas State Historical Society, 6425 
SW. 6th Avenue, Topeka, KS 66615-1099, telephone (785) 272-8681, 
extension 269, [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 under 
the control of the Kansas State Historical Society, Topeka, KS. The 
human remains were removed from site 14SH305 in Shawnee County, KS.
    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 Kansas 
State Historical Society professional staff in consultation with 
representatives of the Kaw Nation, Oklahoma.

History and Description of the Remains

    On June 12, 2012, human remains representing, at minimum, one 
individual were removed from midden area 230 of site 14SH305 in Shawnee 
County, KS, during excavation of the site. Excavation in the immediate 
area ceased and the Shawnee County Sheriff was contacted (case no. 12-
03361). Further excavation in site 14SH305 found no other human 
remains. No other provenience information is available. The human 
remains consist of one molar tooth. No known individual was identified. 
No associated funerary objects are present.
    In or about 2013, human remains representing, at minimum, one 
individual were removed from feature 303 of site 14SH305 by an analyst 
while sorting very small skeletal remains. No other provenience 
information is available. The human remains consist of two human 
phalanges. No known individual was identified. No associated funerary 
objects are present.
    Site 14SH305 is a known historic Kansa village, specifically Fool 
Chief's Village. Based on historical sources, it was originally 
recorded as an archeological site by Kansas State Archeologist Roscoe 
Wilmeth in 1957. The village was part of the Kansa Reservation, and was 
occupied from 1828 to 1844 by approximately 700-800 members of the 
Kansa tribe. In 2012 and 2013, the Kansas Historical Society conducted 
archeological excavations of the site in order to mitigate the effects 
of Kansas Department of Transportation Project Number 24-89 K-7431-01. 
The present-day descendants of the Kansa are the Kaw Nation, Oklahoma.

Determinations Made by the Kansas State Historical Society

    Officials of the Kansas State Historical Society have determined 
that:
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(9), the human remains described 
in this notice represent the physical remains of two individuals 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 the Kaw Nation, Oklahoma.

Additional Requestors and Disposition

    Lineal descendants or representatives of any Indian tribe or Native 
Hawaiian

[[Page 25621]]

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 Dr. Robert J. 
Hoard, Kansas State Historical Society, 6425 SW. 6th Avenue, Topeka, KS 
66615-1099, telephone (785) 272-8681, extension 269, [email protected], 
by July 3, 2017. After that date, if no additional requestors have come 
forward, transfer of control of the human remains to the Kaw Nation, 
Oklahoma may proceed.
    The Kansas State Historical Society is responsible for notifying 
the Kaw Nation, Oklahoma that this notice has been published.

    Dated: April 21, 2017.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2017-11446 Filed 6-1-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4312-52-P