[Federal Register: May 3, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 86)]
[Notices]
[Page 22252]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr03my01-95]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Inventory Completion for Native American Human Remains
and Associated Funerary Objects in the Possession of the U.S.
Department of Defense, National Museum of Health and Medicine, Armed
Forces Institute of Pathology, Washington, DC

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

    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 the U.S. Department of Defense,
National Museum of Health and Medicine, Armed Forces Institute of
Pathology (formerly the Army Medical Museum), Washington, DC.
    This notice is published as part of the National Park Service's
administrative responsibilities under NAGPRA, 43 CFR 10.2 (c). The
determinations within this notice are the sole responsibility of the
museum, institution, or Federal agency that has control of these Native
American human remains and associated funerary objects. The National
Park Service is not responsible for the determinations within this
notice.
    A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by National
Museum of Health and Medicine, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology
professional staff in consultation with representatives of the Seneca
Nation of New York, Seneca-Cayuga Tribe of Oklahoma, and Tonowanda Band
of Seneca Indians of New York.
    Prior to 1915, human remains representing one individual were
excavated from an Indian mission cemetery in Buffalo, Erie County, NY,
by an unknown individual. In 1915, the National Museum of Health and
Medicine, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology purchased the remains
from the Charles H. Ward Company of Rochester, NY. No known individual
was identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
    Accession records from the National Museum of Health and Medicine,
Armed Forces Institute of Pathology indicate that the remains were
identified by the Charles H. Ward Company as an adult female Seneca
Indian. Historical information indicates that the Buffalo Creek Mission
Cemetery, from which the remains were obtained, was located in Erie
County, NY. Historical records from the Indian Claims Commission places
the Seneca in an area that includes Erie County, NY.
    Prior to 1914, human remains representing one individual were
collected from the farm of George Marsh approximately 5 miles from
Canandaigua, Ontario County, NY, by George G. Heye of the Heye
Foundation. In 1914, Mr. Heye donated the remains to the Smithsonian
Institution. In 1915, the remains were transferred to the National
Museum of Heath and Medicine, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology. No
known individual was identified. No associated funerary objects are
present.
    Based on the geographic location where these human remains were
found, this individual has been identified as Native American.
Archeological information indicates that the Marsh farm site was an
eastern Seneca village site dating from 1650-1670. Biological
information indicates that these human remains are most likely of an
adult individual of unknown sex. Based on geographical evidence and on
archeological expert opinion, these human remains are most likely
culturally affiliated with the Seneca Nation of New York, Seneca-Cayuga
Tribe of Oklahoma, and Tonowanda Band of Seneca Indians of New York.
    Based on the above-mentioned information, officials of the National
Museum of Health and Medicine, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology have
determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (d)(1), the human remains
listed above represent the physical remains of two individuals of
Native American ancestry. Officials of the National Museum of Health
and Medicine, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology also have determined
that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (e), there is a relationship of shared
group identity that can be reasonably traced between these Native
American human remains and the Seneca Nation of New York, Seneca-Cayuga
Tribe of Oklahoma, and Tonowanda Band of Seneca Indians of New York.
    This notice has been sent to officials of the Seneca Nation of New
York, Seneca-Cayuga Tribe of Oklahoma, and Tonowanda Band of Seneca
Indians of New York. Representatives of any other Indian tribe that
believes itself to be culturally affiliated with these human remains
should contact Lenore Barbian, Ph.D., Assistant Curator, Anatomical
Collections, National Museum of Health and Medicine, Armed Forces
Institute of Pathology, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Building 54,
Washington, DC 20306-6000, telephone (202) 782-2203, before June 4,
2001. Repatriation of the human remains and associated funerary objects
to the Seneca Nation of New York, Seneca-Cayuga Tribe of Oklahoma, and
Tonowanda Band of Seneca Indians of New York may begin after that date
if no additional claimants come forward.

    Dated: April 11, 2001.
John Robbins,
Assistant Director, Cultural Resources Stewardship and Partnerships.
[FR Doc. 01-11137 Filed 5-2-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-F