[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 213 (Monday, November 8, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 61789-61791]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-24306]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0032963; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]


Notice of Inventory Completion: Michigan State University, East 
Lansing, MI

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Michigan State University 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 no cultural affiliation between the human 
remains and associated funerary objects and any present-day Indian 
Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations. 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 Michigan 
State University. If no additional requestors come forward, transfer of 
control of the human remains and associated funerary objects Indian 
Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations stated in this notice may 
proceed.

DATES: 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 with information in support of 
the request to Michigan State University at the address in this notice 
by December 8, 2021.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Judith Stoddart, Associate Provost for 
University Collections and Arts Initiatives, Michigan State University, 
466 W Circle Drive, East Lansing, MI 48824-1044, telephone (517) 432-
2524, 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 Michigan State 
University, East Lansing, MI. The human remains and associated funerary 
objects were removed from an unknown geographic location.
    This notice is published as part of the National Park Service's 
administrative responsibilities under NAGPRA, 25 U.S.C. 3003(d)(3) and 
43 CFR 10.9(e). 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 Michigan 
State University professional staff in consultation with 
representatives of the Bay Mills Indian Community, Michigan; Grand 
Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, Michigan; Hannahville 
Indian Community, Michigan; Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, Michigan; 
Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians of Michigan; 
Little River Band of Ottawa Indians, Michigan; Little Traverse Bay 
Bands of Odawa Indians, Michigan; Match-e-be-nash-she-wish Band of 
Pottawatomi Indians of Michigan; Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the 
Potawatomi, Michigan [previously listed as Huron Potawatomi, Inc.]; 
Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians, Michigan and Indiana; Saginaw 
Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan; Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa 
Indians, Michigan; and two non-federally recognized Indian groups, the 
Burt Lake Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, and the Grand River Band 
of Ottawa Indians.
    The following Indian Tribes were also invited to consult but did 
not participate: The Absentee-Shawnee Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma; Bad 
River Band of the Lake Superior Tribe of Chippewa Indians of the Bad 
River Reservation, Wisconsin; Chippewa Cree Indians of the Rocky Boy's 
Reservation, Montana [previously listed as Chippewa-Cree Indians of the 
Rocky Boy's Reservation, Montana]; Citizen Potawatomi Nation, Oklahoma; 
Delaware Nation, Oklahoma; Delaware Tribe of Indians; Eastern Shawnee 
Tribe of Oklahoma; Forest County Potawatomi Community, Wisconsin; 
Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas; Kickapoo Tribe of Indians of the 
Kickapoo Reservation in Kansas; Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma; Lac Courte 
Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin; Lac du 
Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians of the Lac du Flambeau 
Reservation of Wisconsin; Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians of 
Montana; Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin; Miami Tribe of Oklahoma; 
Minnesota Chippewa Tribe, Minnesota (Six component reservations: Bois 
Forte Band (Nett Lake); Fond du Lac Band; Grand Portage Band; Leech 
Lake Band;

[[Page 61790]]

Mille Lacs Band; White Earth Band); Ottawa Tribe of Oklahoma; Peoria 
Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma; Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation 
[previously listed as Prairie Band of Potawatomi Nation, Kansas]; Red 
Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin; Red Lake 
Band of Chippewa Indians, Minnesota; Sac & Fox Nation of Missouri in 
Kansas and Nebraska; Sac & Fox Nation, Oklahoma; Sac & Fox Tribe of the 
Mississippi in Iowa; Seneca Nation of Indians [previously listed as 
Seneca Nation of New York]; Seneca-Cayuga Nation [previously listed as 
Seneca-Cayuga Tribe of Oklahoma]; Shawnee Tribe; Sokaogon Chippewa 
Community, Wisconsin; St. Croix Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin; 
Stockbridge Munsee Community, Wisconsin; Tonawanda Band of Seneca 
[previously listed as Tonawanda Band of Seneca Indians of New York]; 
Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians of North Dakota; and the 
Wyandotte Nation.
    Hereafter, all the Indian Tribes and non-federally recognized 
Indian groups listed in this section are referred to as ``The Consulted 
and Notified Tribes and Groups.''

History and Description of the Remains

    On an unknown date, human remains representing, at minimum, one 
individual were removed from an unknown geographic location. The human 
remains (2004.46.21) were acquired by Kalamazoo resident Donald 
Boudeman, who had collected Southwest Native American material culture 
during the first half of the twentieth century. In July of 1961, some 
years after her husband's death, Donna Boudeman donated the human 
remains (and parts of Mr. Boudeman's collection) to Michigan State 
University Museum. No known individual was identified. No associated 
funerary objects are present.
    On an unknown date, human remains representing, at minimum, eight 
individuals were removed from an unknown geographic location. The human 
remains (20323; 6497 CW; 6504 CW; 6508 CW; 6509 CW; 6510 CW; 6511 CW; 
6587 CW) were acquired by the Chamberlain Memorial Museum in Three 
Oaks, Michigan. (The Chamberlain Memorial Museum was founded in 1916 by 
Mr. Edward K. Warren.) In September of 1952, Michigan State College 
Museum (now Michigan State University Museum) acquired the contents of 
the Chamberlain Memorial Museum from Fred P. Warren, President of the 
Board of Trustees of the E. K. Warren Foundation. No known individuals 
were identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
    On an unknown date, human remains representing, at minimum, one 
individual were removed from an unknown location. The human remains 
(2693.12) were acquired by the Chamberlain Memorial Museum. In 
September of 1952, Michigan State College Museum (now the Michigan 
State University Museum) acquired the contents of the Chamberlain 
Memorial Museum. No known individual was identified. The two associated 
funerary objects are one scraper (2693.28) and one lot of mica, biface, 
pendant, and adze (2693.28).
    On an unknown date, human remains representing, at minimum, two 
individuals were removed from a mound in an unknown location. H. 
Bradley acquired the human remains (6499 CW) and subsequently gave them 
to the Chamberlain Memorial Museum. In September of 1952, Michigan 
State College Museum (now Michigan State University Museum) acquired 
the contents of the Chamberlain Memorial Museum. No known individuals 
were identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
    On an unknown date, human remains representing, at minimum, one 
individual were removed from an unknown location. In July of 2019, the 
human remains (UP4) were discovered when cleaning out the office of 
former Michigan State University Anthropology Professor Dr. Norman 
Sauer. The box containing the remains was labeled ``red ochre bones.'' 
No known individual was identified. The one associated funerary object 
is one worked and polished slate (UP4).
    On an unknown date, human remains representing, at minimum, eight 
individuals were removed from an unknown location. On October 4, 2017, 
the human remains (NA #1A; NA #1B) were found in the Michigan State 
University's Forensic Anthropology Laboratory. No known individuals 
were identified. The two associated funerary objects are one lot of 
grit-tempered sherds (NA #1A; NA #1B) and one lot of modified shell (NA 
#1A; NA #1B).
    On an unknown date, human remains representing, at minimum, 15 
individuals were removed from an unknown location. On October 4, 2017, 
the human remains (4; 6; 634M (vault absent); 634M (vault present); 
MC2-1; MC2-2; MC2-3; MC3-1; MC3-2; MC4; UP3) were found in the Michigan 
State University's Forensic Anthropology Laboratory. No known 
individuals were identified. No associated funerary objects are 
present.
    On an unknown date, human remains representing, at minimum, one 
individual were removed from an unknown location. On October 4, 2017, 
the human remains (UP1) were found in the Michigan State University's 
Forensic Anthropology Laboratory. No known individual was identified. 
The two associated funerary objects are one lot of fabric (UP1) and one 
lot of buttons (UP1).
    On an unknown date, human remains representing, at minimum, two 
individuals were removed from an unknown location. On October 4, 2017, 
the human remains (UP2) were found in the Michigan State University's 
Forensic Anthropology Laboratory. No known individuals were identified. 
The four associated funerary objects are two lithics (UP2), one gorget 
(UP2), and one unidentified animal bone (UP2).
    On an unknown date, human remains representing, at minimum, three 
individuals were removed from an unknown location. On October 4, 2017, 
the human remains (31.2576; 31.2576-96) were found in the Michigan 
State University's Forensic Anthropology Laboratory. A number 
associated with these remains resembles a police case number, but no 
such case could be located. No known individuals were identified. No 
associated funerary objects are present.
    On an unknown date, human remains representing, at minimum, one 
individual were removed from an unknown location. On September 20, 
2018, the MSU Forensic Anthropology Laboratory received the human 
remains (FA 005-19) from the Department of Human Anatomy at Michigan 
State University. No known individual was identified. No associated 
funerary objects are present.
    Based on the available information, the land from which these human 
remains and associated funerary objects were removed is not the 
``tribal land'' of an Indian Tribe or a Native Hawaiian organization, 
or the ``aboriginal land'' of an Indian Tribe pursuant to 43 CFR 10.11.
    Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3006(c)(5) and 43 CFR 10.10(g)(2)(ii) and 
10.16, the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Review 
Committee (Review Committee) may make a recommendation to the Secretary 
of the Interior (Secretary) for specific actions for disposition of any 
human remains and associated funerary objects not already addressed in 
43 CFR 10.11. In June 2021, Michigan State University requested that 
the Review Committee consider a proposal to transfer control of the 
human remains and associated funerary objects in this notice jointly to

[[Page 61791]]

the Match-e-be-nash-she-wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians of Michigan 
and the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, Michigan. The 
Review Committee carefully considered the request at its July 7, 2021 
meeting and recommended to the Secretary that the proposed transfer of 
control proceed. An October 19, 2021 letter transmitted the Secretary's 
independent review and concurrence with the Review Committee that:
     Michigan State University consulted with every appropriate 
Indian Tribe,
     None of The Consulted and Notified Tribes and Groups 
objected to the proposed transfer of control to the Match-e-be-nash-
she-wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians of Michigan and the Sault Ste. 
Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, Michigan, and
     Michigan State University may proceed with the agreed upon 
transfer of control of the human remains and associated funerary 
objects to the Match-e-be-nash-she-wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians of 
Michigan and the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, Michigan.
    Transfer of control is contingent on the publication of a Notice of 
Inventory Completion in the Federal Register. This notice fulfills that 
requirement.

Determinations Made by Michigan State University

    Officials of Michigan State University have determined that:
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(9), the human remains described 
in this notice are Native American based on biological evidence and 
museum and lab records.
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3003(e), the human remains described 
in this notice represent the physical remains of 43 individuals of 
Native American ancestry.
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(A), the 11 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), a relationship of shared 
group identity cannot be reasonably traced between the Native American 
human remains and associated funerary objects and any present-day 
Indian Tribe.
     Pursuant to 43 CFR 10.11, the land from which these human 
remains and associated funerary objects were removed is not the 
``tribal land'' of any Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization, or 
the ``aboriginal land of any Indian Tribe.
     Pursuant to 43 CFR 10.10(g)(2)(ii) and 10.16, the 
disposition of the human remains and associated funerary objects will 
be to the Match-e-be-nash-she-wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians of 
Michigan and the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, Michigan.

Additional Requestors and Disposition

    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 with information in support of the request to Judith 
Stoddart, Associate Provost for University Collections and Arts 
Initiatives, Michigan State University, 466 W Circle Drive, East 
Lansing, MI 48824-1044, telephone (517) 432-2524, email 
[email protected], by December 8, 2021. After that date, if no 
additional requestors have come forward, transfer of control of the 
human remains and associated funerary objects to the Match-e-be-nash-
she-wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians of Michigan and the Sault Ste. 
Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, Michigan, may proceed.
    Michigan State University is responsible for notifying The 
Consulted and Notified Tribes and Groups that this notice has been 
published.

    Dated: October 29, 2021.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2021-24306 Filed 11-5-21; 8:45 am]
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