[Federal Register: May 23, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 100)]
[Notices]
[Page 33349-33350]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr23my00-93]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

REVISION--Notice of Inventory Completion for Native American
Human Remains and Associated Funerary Objects in the Possession of the
611th Air Support Group, United States Air Force, Elmendorf Air Force
Base, 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), 43 CFR 10.9,
of the completion of an inventory of human remains and associated
funerary objects in the possession of 611th Air Support Group, United
States Air Force, Elmendorf Air Force Base, AK.
    A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by the W.H.
Over Museum, South Dakota State Archeological Research Center, and
611th Air Support Group, USAF professional staff in consultation with
representatives of the Aleut Corporation, and the Aleutian Pribilof
Islands Association, Inc.
    In 1943, human remains representing one individual were uncovered
during a legally authorized runway construction project on Shemya
Island, AK conducted by Mr. C.B. Kimbrough, a contracted civil engineer
with the Baker Engineering Company, Rochester, PA. In 1944, these human
remains were donated by Mr. Kinbrough to the Dakota Museum, University
of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD (now known as the W.H. Over Museum). No
known individual was identified. The 32 associated funerary objects
include stone projectile points and animal bone tools related to sea
and land hunting and fishing.
    Based on the geographic location and material culture, this
individual has been identified as Native American, most likely
affiliated with the Aleut culture. The determination of cultural
affiliation has been based upon the relative geographic isolation of
Shemya Island, archeological evidence from the Shemya Island region,
past and present Aleut oral tradition, historical evidence, and expert
anthropological opinion. These forms of evidence all indicate that
Aleut people were the sole pre-contact (pre-1741 A.D.) occupants of
Shemya Island.
    Based on the above mentioned information, officials of the 611th
Air Force Group, USAF 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 611th
Air Force Group, USAF have also determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR
10.2 (d)(2), the 32 objects 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 611th Air Force Group, USAF 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 objects and the Aleut Corporation.
    This notice has been sent to officials of the Aleut Corporation,
and the Aleutian Pribilof Islands Association, Inc. Representatives of
any other Indian tribe that believes itself to be culturally affiliated
with these human remains and associated funerary objects should contact
Captain Christopher A. Pleiman, Cultural Resources Manager, 611th Air
Support Group, U.S. Air Force, 6900 9th Street, Ste. 360, Elmendorf
AFB, AK 99506-2270; telephone: (907) 552-7442, before June 22, 2000.
Repatriation of the human remains and associated funerary

[[Page 33350]]

objects to the Aleut Corporation may begin after that date if no
additional claimants come forward.

    Dated: May 8, 2000.
Francis P. McManamon,
Departmental Consulting Archeologist, Manager, Archeology and
Ethnography Program.
[FR Doc. 00-12848 Filed 5-22-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-F

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