[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 39 (Tuesday, February 27, 1996)] [Notices] [Pages 7276-7277] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 96-4320] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Notice of Inventory Completion for Native American Human Remains and Associated Funerary Objects in the Possession of the Cheney Cowles Museum, Eastern Washington State Historical Society, Spokane, WA AGENCY: National Park Service ACTION: Notice ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Notice is hereby given under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, 25 U.S.C. 3003(d), of the completion of an inventory of Native American human remains and associated funerary objects currently in the possession of the Cheney Cowles Museum, Eastern Washington State Historical Society, Spokane, WA. A detailed inventory and assessment has been made by members of the Cheney Cowles Museum professional staff in consultation with the Spokane Tribe of Indians. In 1939-1940 during excavations of sites behind the Grand Coulee Dam, the human remains and associated funerary objects were collected from four sites on the north side of the Spokane River. The human remains from sites 8, 48, and 50 represent three individuals. No known individuals were identified. A total of 1,409 objects are associated with these remains including: stone pipe bowls; iron ax heads; bone (implements, elk teeth); shell (abalone, olivella, dentallia); copper (beads, buttons, pendants); glass beads; copper beads, discs, and ornaments; twined bag and basketry fragments; hide fragments; a stone pestle; and bark matting. A total of 320 objects were excavated from two burials at Site 51 including copper (button, pendant, beads), an iron ax head, and shell (dentallia). The condition of the excavation reports for site 51 has made it impossible to determine whether the human remains were removed, and no human remains from site 51 have been located in the collections. Sites 8, 48, 50, and 51 have been identified to recent pre-contact through the mid-nineteenth century by the cultural items found with the human remains. The location of these sites, north of the Spokane River and east of the Columbia River, is well within the exclusive traditional occupation area of the Spokane Tribe during the pre-contact era and is now tribal land within the exterior boundaries of the Spokane Reservation. The basketry fragments have identical construction as historic and present- day Spokane basketry techniques. Representatives and elders of the Spokane Tribe have indicated the manner of the interments is consistent with Spokane traditional practice. Representatives and elders of the Spokane Tribe affirms that Spokane burials are known to have existed along this particular portion of the Spokane River. Based on the above mentioned information, officials of the Cheney Cowles Museum have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10 (d)(1), the human remains listed above represent the physical remains of three individuals of Native American ancestry. Officials of the Cheney Cowles Museum have also determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(A) and (B), the 1,409 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 Cheney Cowles Museum have determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. [[Page 7277]] 3001(2), there is a relationship of shared group identity which can be reasonably traced between the human remains and funerary objects and the Spokane Tribe of Indians. This notice has been sent to the Spokane Tribe of Indians. Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to be culturally affiliated with the human remains and funerary objects should contact Mr. Glenn Mason, Director, Cheney Cowles Museum, 2316 W. First Avenue, Spokane, WA 99204, telephone (509) 456-4931 ext. 104 before March 28, 1996 Repatriation of the human remains and associated funerary objects may begin after that date if no additional claimants come forward. Dated: February 21, 1996 Francis P. McManamon, Departmental Consulting Archeologist, Chief, Archeology and Ethnography Program. [FR Doc. 96-4320 Filed 2-26-96; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-70-F