[Federal Register: March 26, 1997 (Volume 62, Number 58)]
[Notices]
[Page 14439-14440]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr26mr97_dat-106]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Notice of Inventory Completion for Native American Human Remains
From the Vicinity of Juneau, AK, in the Possession of the Alaska State
Museum, Juneau, AK

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), 25 U.S.C.
3003 (d), of the completion of an inventory of human remains from the
vicinity of Juneau, AK, in the possession of the Alaska State Museum,
Juneau, AK.
    A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by Alaska State
Museum professional staff in consultation with representatives of the
Auk Kwaan Tlingit Clan and the Central Council of Tlingit and Haida
Tribes of Alaska.
    In 1949, human remains representing one individual were donated to
the Alaska State Museum by John Harris. Accession information indicates
this individual came from Shaman Island, northwest of Douglas Island
and identified by John Harris as possibly the skull of Teetklen. No
associated funerary objects are present.
    In 1957, human remains representing one individual was removed from
Mendenhall Valley and presented to the Alaska State Museum by the U.S.
Forest Service. No known individual was identified. No associated
funerary objects are present. Officials of the U.S. Forest Service have
reviewed the inventory information, and support and concur with the
findings of the Alaska State Museum.
    At an unknown date, human remains representing one individual were
donated to the Alaska State Museum after being recovered from federal
or private lands in the area of Norway Point. No known individual was
identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
    Although the actual circumstances of the recovery of these
individuals is unknown, it is likely that one individual was recovered
on Shaman Island, a known burial area for the Auk Kwaan Tlingit, the
second individual was possibly recovered during highway construction on
U.S. Forest Service or private lands in the Mendenhall Valley, and the
third individual may have been recovered during construction on public
or private lands in the area of Norway Point. Morphological evidence
indicates these individuals are Native American based on anatomical
structure. Consultation evidence presented by representatives of the
Auk Kwaan Tlingit Clan and the Central Council of Tlingit and Haida
Tribes of Alaska indicates that Tlingit peoples have inhabited
southeastern Alaska for thousands of years.
    Based on the above mentioned information, officials of the Alaska
State Museum have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (d)(1), the
human remains listed above represent the physical remains of three
individuals of Native American ancestry. Lastly, officials of the
Alaska State Museum have determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001
(2), there is a relationship of shared group identity which can be
reasonably traced between these Native American human remains and the
Central Council of Tlingit and Haida Tribes of Alaska.
    This notice has been sent to officials of the Auk Kwaan Tlingit
Clan and the

[[Page 14440]]

Central Council of Tlingit and Haida Tribes of Alaska. Representatives
of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to be culturally
affiliated with these human remains should contact Bruce Kato, Chief
Curator, Alaska State Museum, 396 Whittier Street, Juneau, AK 99801;
telephone: (907) 465-2901, before April 25, 1997. Repatriation of the
human remains to the Central Council of Tlingit and Haida Tribes of
Alaska may begin after that date if no additional claimants come
forward.

Dated: March 17, 1997.
Francis P. McManamon,
Departmental Consulting Archeologist,
Manager, Archeology and Ethnography Program.
[FR Doc. 97-7601 Filed 3-25-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-F

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