[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 50 (Monday, March 17, 2025)] [Notices] [Pages 12340-12341] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 2025-04200] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR National Park Service [NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0039424; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000] Notice of Intended Repatriation: Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), Michigan State University intends to repatriate certain cultural items that meet the definition of unassociated funerary objects and that have a cultural affiliation with the Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations in this notice. DATES: Repatriation of the cultural items in this notice may occur on or after April 16, 2025. ADDRESSES: Judith Stoddart, Michigan State University, 287 Delta Court, East Lansing, MI 48824, telephone (517) 432-2524, email [email protected]. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice is published as part of the National Park Service's administrative responsibilities under NAGPRA. The determinations in this notice are the sole responsibility of Michigan State University, and additional information on the determinations in this notice, including the results of consultation, can be found in the summary or related records. The National Park Service is not responsible for the determinations in this notice. Abstract of Information Available A total of 40 cultural items have been requested for repatriation. The 40 unassociated funerary objects are one lot of Indigenous ceramic rim and neck sherds, one lot of animal bone, seven flakes, one turtle shell bowl, one pipe stem, four pieces of bottle glass, four metal artifacts and scraps, 18 square nails, one lot of historic ceramics, and two pieces of a plastic hair comb. The objects were collected from a burial on Mackinac Island, Michigan in 1969 after it was unearthed during basement construction. They were subsequently brought to Michigan State University and accessioned into the Museum collections (Accession 3438). Determinations Michigan State University has determined that:The 40 unassociated funerary objects described in this notice are reasonably believed to have been placed intentionally with or near human remains, and are connected, either at the time of death or later as part of the death rite or ceremony of a Native American culture according to the Native American traditional knowledge of a lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization. The unassociated funerary objects have been identified by a preponderance of the evidence as related to human remains, specific individuals, or families, or removed from a specific burial site or burial area of an individual or individuals with cultural affiliation to an Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization. There is a reasonable connection between the cultural items described in this notice and the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, Michigan. Requests for Repatriation Additional, written requests for repatriation of the cultural items in this notice must be sent to the authorized representative identified in this notice under ADDRESSES. Requests for repatriation may be submitted by any lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization not identified in this notice who shows, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the requestor is a lineal descendant or a culturally affiliated Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization. Repatriation of the cultural items in this notice to a requestor may occur on or after April 16, 2025. If competing requests for repatriation are received, Michigan State University must determine the most appropriate requestor prior to repatriation. Requests [[Page 12341]] for joint repatriation of the cultural items are considered a single request and not competing requests. Michigan State University is responsible for sending a copy of this notice to the Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations identified in this notice and to any other consulting parties. Authority: Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, 25 U.S.C. 3004 and the implementing regulations, 43 CFR 10.9. Dated: January 28, 2025. Melanie O'Brien, Manager, National NAGPRA Program. [FR Doc. 2025-04200 Filed 3-14-25; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4312-52-P