[Federal Register: September 13, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 177)]
[Notices]
[Page 52387-52388]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr13se07-67]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
Notice of Inventory Completion: Alutiiq Museum and Archaeological
Repository, Kodiak, AK
AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice.
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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 in the possession of
Alutiiq Museum and Archaeological Repository, Kodiak, AK. The human
remains were removed from unknown locations on Kodiak Island, AK.
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.
A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by Alutiiq
Museum and Archaeological Repository professional staff in consultation
with representatives of Afognak Native Corporation; Native Village of
Afognak (formerly the Village of Afognak); Native Village of Akhiok;
Akhiok-Kaguyak, Inc.; Native Village of Karluk; Natives of Kodiak,
Inc.; Koniag, Inc.; Native Village of Larsen Bay; Lesnoi Village (aka
Woody Island); Old Harbor Native Corporation; Village of Old Harbor;
Ouzinkie Native Corporation; Native Village of Ouzinkie; Native Village
of Port Lions; and Sun'aq Tribe of Kodiak (formerly the Shoonaq' Tribe
of Kodiak).
In 1995, human remains representing a minimum of one individual
were transferred to the Alutiiq Museum and Archaeological Repository
from Kodiak Area Native Association's Alutiiq Culture Center (number
AM59). Information regarding the collection of the human remains is
unknown, although it is reasonably believed that the human remains were
removed from Kodiak Island. No known individual was identified. No
associated funerary objects are present.
A review of the human remains suggests they are archeological.
Humic staining on the bones and worn dentition with no evidence of
modern dentistry suggests a prehistoric person, likely from one of
Kodiak's many well preserved archeological sites.
At an unknown date, human remains representing a minimum of one
individual were removed from an unknown location on Kodiak Island, AK.
In 1991, the human remains were turned over to the Alaska State
Troopers by Dr. Keith Hediger. In 1992, the Alaska State Office of
History and Archaeology examined the human remains and determined the
human remains were Native American and most likely Alutiiq. The Alaska
State Troopers transferred the human remains to the Kodiak Area Native
Association's Alutiiq Culture Center. In 1995, the human remains were
transferred to the Alutiiq Museum and Archaeological Repository (number
AM62). No known individual was identified. No associated funerary
objects are present.
Archeological data indicate that modern Alutiiqs evolved from
archeologically documented societies of the Kodiak region and can trace
their ancestry back over 7,500 years in the region. As such, the human
remains are reasonably believed to be Native American and most closely
affiliated with the modern Kodiak Alutiiq people. Specifically, the
human remains are from an area traditionally used by the Afognak Native
Corporation; Native Village of Afognak; Native Village of Akhiok;
Akhiok-Kaguyak, Inc.; Native Village of Karluk; Natives of Kodiak,
Inc.; Koniag, Inc.; Native Village of Larsen Bay; Lesnoi Village (aka
Woody Island); Old Harbor Native Corporation; Village of Old Harbor;
Ouzinkie Native Corporation; Native Village of Ouzinkie; Native Village
of Port Lions; and Sun'aq Tribe of Kodiak.
Officials of the Alutiiq Museum and Archaeological Repository have
determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (9-10), the human remains
described above represent the physical remains of two individuals of
Native American ancestry. Officials of the Alutiiq Museum and
Archaeological Repository also have determined that, 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 Afognak Native Corporation; Native Village of Afognak; Native
Village of Akhiok; Akhiok-Kaguyak, Inc.; Native Village of Karluk;
Natives of Kodiak, Inc.; Koniag, Inc.; Native Village of Larsen Bay;
Lesnoi Village (aka Woody Island); Old Harbor Native Corporation;
Village of Old Harbor; Ouzinkie Native Corporation; Native Village of
Ouzinkie; Native Village of Port Lions; and Sun'aq Tribe of Kodiak.
Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to
be culturally affiliated with the human remains should contact Sven
Haakanson, Jr., Executive Director, Alutiiq Museum and Archaeological
Repository, 215 Mission Rd., Suite 101, Kodiak, AK 99615, telephone
(907) 486-7004, before October 15, 2007. Repatriation of the human
remains to the Afognak Native Corporation; Native Village of Afognak;
Native Village of Akhiok; Akhiok-Kaguyak, Inc.; Native Village of
Karluk; Natives of Kodiak, Inc.; Koniag, Inc.; Native Village of Larsen
Bay; Lesnoi Village (aka Woody Island); Old Harbor Native Corporation;
Village of Old Harbor; Ouzinkie Native Corporation; Native Village of
Ouzinkie; Native Village of Port Lions; and Sun'aq Tribe of Kodiak may
proceed after that date if no additional claimants come forward.
Alutiiq Museum and Archaeological Repository is responsible for
notifying the Afognak Native Corporation; Native Village of Afognak;
Native Village of Akhiok; Akhiok-Kaguyak, Inc.; Native Village of
Karluk; Natives of Kodiak, Inc.; Koniag, Inc.; Native Village of Larsen
Bay; Lesnoi Village (aka Woody Island); Old Harbor Native Corporation;
Village of Old Harbor; Ouzinkie Native Corporation; Native Village of
Ouzinkie; Native Village of Port Lions; and Sun'aq Tribe of Kodiak that
this notice has been published.
[[Page 52388]]
Dated: August 22, 2007
Sherry Hutt,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. E7-18107 Filed 9-12-07; 8:45 am]
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