[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 236 (Friday, December 9, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 75652-75653]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-26801]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

 [NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0034979; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]


Notice of Intent To Repatriate Cultural Items: North Carolina 
Office of State Archaeology, Raleigh, NC

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The North Carolina Office of State Archaeology, in 
consultation with the appropriate Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian 
organizations, has determined that the cultural item listed in this 
notice meets the definition of an object of cultural patrimony. Lineal 
descendants or representatives of any Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian 
organization not identified in this notice that wish to claim this 
cultural item should submit a written request to the North Carolina 
Office of State Archaeology. If no additional claimants come forward, 
transfer of control of the cultural item 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 this cultural item should submit a written request with 
information in support of the claim to the Office of State Archaeology 
at the address in this notice by January 9, 2023.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Emily McDowell, North Carolina Office 
of State Archaeology, 215 West Lane Street, Raleigh, NC 27616, 
telephone (919) 715-5599, 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 a cultural item under the 
control of the North Carolina Office of State Archaeology, Raleigh, NC, 
that meet the definition of an object of cultural patrimony 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 Item

    In 2009, a single, intentional domestic dog burial was removed from 
31MA77, the Iotla site, in Macon County, NC, during archeological data 
recovery conducted by TRC Environmental Corporation. These excavations 
were conducted on behalf of the Macon County Airport Authority to 
mitigate adverse effects to the site by a planned runway expansion, in 
consultation with the Federal Aviation Authority as part of the review 
process under 54 U.S.C. 306108 (also known as Section 106 of the 
National Historic Preservation Act).
    In May of 2021, representatives from the Cherokee Tribes expressed 
interest in repatriation of the dog burial. In October of 2021, the 
burial remains were transferred to the North Carolina Office of State 
Archaeology Research Center, whereupon Research Center staff began 
collecting information and conducting consultation on this item.
    The object of cultural patrimony is a single, adult male domestic 
dog burial. The skeleton was well preserved and mostly complete. The 
dog burial is associated with the Late Qualla Historic Cherokee 
occupation at the Iotla site. Given the importance of dogs in Cherokee 
culture and the intention with which these remains were placed in the 
ground, this dog was of importance to the community that buried him.

[[Page 75653]]

Determinations Made by the North Carolina Office of State Archaeology

    Officials of the North Carolina Office of State Archaeology have 
determined that:
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(D), the one cultural item 
described above has ongoing historical, traditional, or cultural 
importance central to the Native American group or culture itself, 
rather than property owned by an individual.
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(2), there is a relationship of 
shared group identity that can be reasonably traced between the object 
of cultural patrimony and the Cherokee Nation; Eastern Band of Cherokee 
Indians; and the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma 
(hereafter referred to as ``The Tribes'').

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 
this cultural item should submit a written request with information in 
support of the claim to Emily McDowell, North Carolina Office of State 
Archaeology, 215 West Lane Street, Raleigh, NC 27616, telephone (919) 
715-5599, email [email protected], by January 9, 2023. After 
that date, if no additional claimants have come forward, transfer of 
control of the object of cultural patrimony to The Tribes may proceed.
    The North Carolina Office of State Archaeology is responsible for 
notifying The Tribes that this notice has been published.

    Dated: November 30, 2022.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2022-26801 Filed 12-8-22; 8:45 am]
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