[Federal Register: November 2, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 211)]
[Notices]               
[Page 59199]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr02no99-69]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

 
Notice of Inventory Completion for Native American Human Remains 
and an Associated Funerary Object in the Control of the Bay County 
Historical Society, Bay City, MI

AGENCY: National Park Service.

ACTION: Notice.

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    Notice is hereby given in accordance with provisions of the Native 
American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), 43 CFR 10.9, 
of the completion of an inventory of human remains and an associated 
funerary object in the control of the Bay County Historical Society, 
Bay City, MI.
    A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by Bay County 
Historical Society professional staff in consultation with 
representatives of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan, 
Isabella Reservation.
    In 1965 or 1966, human remains representing one individual were 
removed from an area north of the Third Street bridge, Bay City, MI 
during a dredging project on the west bank of the Saginaw River by a 
person whose name is withheld by the institution. In 1998, the son of 
the original collector, whose name is also withheld by the institution, 
contacted the Bay County Historical Society for the purpose of 
repatriation. No known individual was identified. The one associated 
funerary object is a metal artifact, possibly a strike-a-light.
    Based on burial location, the associated funerary object, and 
forensic information, this individual has been identified as Native 
American from the historic period. Based on the burial location and 
associated funerary object, these human remains appear to be associated 
with site 20BY28, the Fletcher site which was excavated during 1967-68 
and 1979 by Michigan State University. Based on site location and 
material culture, site 20BY28 has been identified as an 18th century 
occupation site. Historical documents indicate Saginaw Chippewa 
settlements in close proximity to this cemetery area during the late 
18th century.
    Based on the above mentioned information, officials of the Bay 
County Historical Society have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 
(d)(1), the human remains listed above represent the physical remains 
of one individual of Native American ancestry. Officials of the Bay 
County Historical Society have also determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 
10.2 (d)(2), the one object listed above 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. Lastly, officials 
of the Bay County Historical Society have determined that, pursuant to 
43 CFR 10.2 (e), there is a relationship of shared group identity which 
can be reasonably traced between these Native American human remains 
and associated funerary object and the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of 
Michigan, Isabella Reservation.
    This notice has been sent to officials of the Saginaw Chippewa 
Indian Tribe of Michigan, Isabella Reservation. Representatives of any 
other Indian tribe that believes itself to be culturally affiliated 
with these human remains and associated funerary object should contact 
Ms. Gay McInerney, Executive Director, Bay County Historical Society, 
321 Washington Avenue, Bay City, MI 38708; telephone: (517) 893-5733, 
before December 2, 1999. Repatriation of the human remains and 
associated funerary object to the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of 
Michigan, Isabella Reservation may begin after that date if no 
additional claimants come forward.
Dated: October 26, 1999.
Francis P. McManamon,
Departmental Consulting Archeologist,
Manager, Archeology and Ethnography Program.
[FR Doc. 99-28626 Filed 11-1-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-F