[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 188 (Monday, September 29, 1997)] [Notices] [Page 50964] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 97-25730] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR National Park Service Notice of Inventory Completion for Native American Human Remains and Associated Funerary Objects From Chugachuk Island, AK in the Possession of the University of Alaska Museum, Fairbanks, AK 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), 25 U.S.C. 3003(d), of the completion of an inventory of human remains and associated funerary objects from Chugachuk Island, AK in the possession of the University of Alaska Museum, Fairbanks, AK. A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by University of Alaska Museum professional staff in consultation with representatives of Chugach Alaska Corporation, Cook Inlet Region, Inc., Kenaitze Indian Tribe, Ninilchik Village Traditional Council, Port Graham Village Council, Nanwalek Village Council, Native Village of Salamatof, and the Seldovia Village Tribe. In 1967, human remains representing five individuals were excavated from a large midden on the south side of Chugachuk Island, Kachemak Bay, AK by David Schimberg and Peter Schlederman during an archeological survey and salvage project sponsored by the University of Alaska-Fairbanks Department of Anthropology and the Institute of Arctic Biology. No known individuals were identified. The sixteen associated funerary objects include faunal remains. Based on cultural material of the site, including chipped lithics, slate, modified cobbles, a stone lamp fragment, ochre, and worked bone, this midden site has been determined to be pre-European contact in age. The cultural material is consistent with objects found within sites known to be affiliated with Chugach Alaska Corporation, Cook Inlet Region, Inc., Kenaitze Indian Tribe, Ninichik Village Traditional Council, Port Graham Village Council, Nanwalek Village Council, Native Village of Salamatof, and the Seldovia Village Tribe, and Chugachuk Island lies within the traditional territories of these Native Alaska Villages and Native Corporations. Consultation with Native Elders of these Native Alaska Villages indicates there is a traditional association with Chugachuk Island and these villages. Based on the above mentioned information, officials of the University of Alaska Museum have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2(d)(1), the human remains listed above represent the physical remains of five individuals of Native American ancestry. Officials of the University of Alaska Museum have also determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(A), the sixteen 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 University of Alaska 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 associated funerary objects and the Chugach Alaska Corporation, Cook Inlet Region, Inc., Kenaitze Indian Tribe, Ninilchik Village Traditional Council, Port Graham Village Council, Nanwalek Village Council, Native Village of Salamatof, and the Seldovia Village Tribe. This notice has been sent to officials of the Chugach Alaska Corporation, Cook Inlet Region, Inc., Kenaitze Indian Tribe, Ninilchik Village Traditional Council, Port Graham Village Council, Nanwalek Village Council, Native Village of Salamatof, and the Seldovia Village Tribe. Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to be culturally affiliated with these human remains and associated funerary objects should contact Gray Selinger, Special Projects Manager, University of Alaska Museum, 907 Yukon Drive, Fairbanks, AK 99775-1200; telephone: (907) 474-6117, before November 28, 1997. Repatriation of the human remains and associated funerary objects to the Chugach Alaska Corporation, Cook Inlet Region, Inc., Kenaitze Indian Tribe, Ninilchik Village Traditional Council, Port Graham Village Council, Nanwalek Village Council, Native Village of Salamatof, and the Seldovia Village Tribe may begin after that date if no additional claimants come forward. Dated: September 23, 1997. Francis P. McManamon, Department Consulting Archeologist, Manager, Archeology and Ethnography Program. [FR Doc. 97-25730 Filed 9-26-97; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-70-M