[Federal Register: April 17, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 75)]
[Notices]
[Page 20941-20942]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr17ap08-67]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
Notice of Inventory Completion: Kingman Museum, Incorporated,
Battle Creek, MI
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 and associated funerary
objects of the Kingman Museum, Incorporated, Battle Creek, MI. The
human remains and associated funerary objects were removed from an
island near Metlakatla, AK.
This notice is published as part of the National Park Service's
administrative responsibilities under NAGPRA, 25
[[Page 20942]]
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 and associated funerary
objects. The National Park Service is not responsible for the
determinations in this notice.
Prior to 2000, a detailed assessment of the human remains was made
by Kingman Museum of Natural History professional staff in consultation
with representatives of the Metlakatla Indian Community, Annette Island
Reserve.
On September 17, 2002, Calhoun County Probate Court transferred the
public trust for Kingman Memorial Museum of Natural History from Battle
Creek Public Schools to Kingman Museum, Incorporated, a private,
nonprofit 501(c)(3) charitable organization. In April of 2006,
collection ownership was transferred from the Battle Creek Public
Schools to Kingman Museum, Incorporated.
Before 1904, human remains representing a minimum of two
individuals were removed from a cave in the mountains on an island near
Metlakatla, AK. According to museum documentation, the human remains,
consisting of a mummified head and a human scalp, were found by two
Native American boys and were collected by Esther Gibson, an Alaskan
missionary. The mummified head and scalp were in a burial box
containing a cedar bark basket used for cremation ashes, and a buckskin
pouch. Dr. John Harvey Kellogg donated the human remains and cultural
items to the Kingman Museum of Natural History in 1904. It is unknown
how the human remains and cultural items were transferred from Esther
Gibson to Dr. John Harvey Kellogg. No known individuals were
identified. The three associated funerary objects are one burial box,
one basket for cremation ashes, and one buckskin pouch.
The individuals have been identified as Native American based on
the museum's documentation, geographic information, and consultation
evidence. The location of the burial is within the historically
documented territory of the Metlakatla Indians. The exact date of the
burial is unknown, but based on burial practices and the style of
associated funerary objects, the human remains are post-contact and
likely to date to the 19th century. Information provided at the time of
consultation indicates that the human remains and associated funerary
objects are likely to be affiliated to the members of the Metlakatla
Indian Community.
On an unknown date, human remains representing a minimum of one
individual were donated to the Kingman Museum of Natural History. The
human remains consist of a shock of human hair, wrapped in brown paper
and tied with string. Attached to the string is a tag labeled ``Hair of
Metlakatla Man--Alaska.'' No known individual was identified. No
associated funerary objects are present.
The individual has been identified as Native American based on the
museum's documentation, geographic information, and consultation
evidence. The museum's catalog describes the human hair as belonging to
a Metlakatla man. Information provided at the time of consultation
indicates that the human remains are likely to be affiliated to members
of the Metlakatla Indian Community.
Officials of Kingman Museum, Incorporated have determined that,
pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(9-10), the human remains described above
represent the physical remains of a minimum of three individuals of
Native American ancestry. Officials of Kingman Museum, Incorporated
also have determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(A), the three
objects described 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 Kingman
Museum, Incorporated 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
associated funerary objects and the Metlakatla Indian Community,
Annette Island Reserve.
Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to
be culturally affiliated with the human remains and associated funerary
objects should contact Katie Nelson, Collection Manager, Kingman
Museum, Incorporated, 175 Limit Street, Battle Creek, MI 49037,
telephone (269) 965-5117, before May 19, 2008. Repatriation of the
human remains and associated funerary objects to the Metlakatla Indian
Community, Annette Island Reserve may proceed after that date if no
additional claimants come forward.
Kingman Museum, Incorporated is responsible for notifying the
Metlakatla Indian Community, Annette Island Reserve that this notice
has been published.
Dated: March 10, 2008.
Sherry Hutt,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. E8-8303 Filed 4-17-08; 8:45 am]
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