[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 162 (Wednesday, August 25, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Page 47519]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-18267]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0032450; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]


Notice of Inventory Completion: U.S. Department of the Interior, 
Bureau of Indian Affairs, Washington, DC

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs 
(BIA), assisted by the University of Montana, 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 who wish to request transfer of control of 
these human remains should submit a written request to the BIA through 
the University of Montana. 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 who wish to 
request transfer of control of these human remains should submit a 
written request with information in support of the request to the BIA 
through the University of Montana at the address in this notice by 
September 24, 2021.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Kelly Dixon, University of 
Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, telephone (406) 243-2693, 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 under 
the control of the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian 
Affairs, Washington, DC and in the physical custody of the University 
of Montana, Missoula, MT. The human remains were removed from the 
Blackfeet Reservation, Glacier County, MT.
    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 on behalf of 
the BIA by the University of Montana professional staff in consultation 
with representatives of the Blackfeet Tribe of the Blackfeet Indian 
Reservation of Montana.

History and Description of the Remains

    On or before 1985, human remains representing, at minimum, one 
individual were removed from Glacier County, MT. In 1985, an adult 
female cranium was received by the University of Montana from the 
Montana Division of Forensic Sciences. The cranium (UMAFC #38) was 
heavily weathered, suggesting it had lain on the ground surface for an 
extended period. The Montana Division of Forensic Sciences (MDFS) could 
find no additional information about the specific location of the 
removal of the human remains or the circumstances of MDFS's acquisition 
and transfer of the human remains to the University of Montana. No 
known individual was identified. No associated funerary objects are 
present.
    Glacier County is a sparsely populated region that lies within the 
Blackfeet Reservation. Historic human remains found in this area most 
likely are culturally affiliated with the Blackfeet Tribe.

Determinations Made by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of 
Indian Affairs and University of Montana

    Officials of the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian 
Affairs and University of Montana 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 the Blackfeet Tribe of the Blackfeet Indian 
Reservation of Montana.

Additional Requestors and Disposition

    Lineal descendants or representatives of any Indian Tribe or Native 
Hawaiian organization not identified in this notice who wish to request 
transfer of control of these human remains should submit a written 
request with information in support of the request to Dr. Kelly Dixon, 
University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, telephone (406) 243-2693, 
email [email protected], by September 24, 2021. After that date, 
if no additional requestors have come forward, transfer of control of 
the human remains to the Blackfeet Tribe of the Blackfeet Indian 
Reservation of Montana may proceed.
    The U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs, 
assisted by the University of Montana, is responsible for notifying the 
Blackfeet Tribe of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation of Montana that 
this notice has been published.

    Dated: August 11, 2021.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2021-18267 Filed 8-24-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-52-P