81 FR 63795 - Notice of Intent To Repatriate Cultural Items: Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, Olympia, WA

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 180 (September 16, 2016)

The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission (hereafter State Parks), in consultation with the appropriate Indian tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations, has determined that the cultural items listed in this notice meet the definition of sacred objects. Lineal descendants or representatives of any Indian tribe or Native Hawaiian organization not identified in this notice that wish to claim these cultural items should submit a written request to the State Parks. If no additional claimants come forward, transfer of control of the cultural items to the lineal descendants, Indian tribes, or Native Hawaiian organizations stated in this notice may proceed.

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 180 (Friday, September 16, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63795-63796]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-22314]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-21818; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]


Notice of Intent To Repatriate Cultural Items: Washington State 
Parks and Recreation Commission, Olympia, WA

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission 
(hereafter State Parks), in consultation with the appropriate Indian 
tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations, has determined that the 
cultural items listed in this notice meet the definition of sacred 
objects. Lineal descendants or representatives of any Indian tribe or 
Native Hawaiian organization not identified in this notice that wish to 
claim these cultural items should submit a written request to the State 
Parks. If no additional claimants come forward, transfer of control of 
the cultural items to the lineal descendants, Indian tribes, or Native 
Hawaiian organizations stated in this notice may proceed.

DATES: Lineal descendants or representatives of any Indian tribe or 
Native Hawaiian organization not identified in this notice that wish to 
claim these cultural items should submit a written request with 
information in support of the claim to the State Parks at the address 
in this notice by October 17, 2016.

ADDRESSES: Alicia Woods, Washington State Parks and Recreation 
Commission, P.O. Box 42650, Olympia, WA 98504-2650, telephone (360) 
902-0939, email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Notice is here given in accordance with the 
Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), 25 
U.S.C. 3005, of the intent to repatriate cultural items under the 
control of the State Parks that meet the definition of sacred objects 
under 25 U.S.C. 3001.
    This notice is published as part of the National Park Service's 
administrative responsibilities under NAGPRA, 25 U.S.C. 3003(d)(3). The 
determinations in this notice are the sole responsibility of the 
museum, institution, or Federal agency that has control of the Native 
American cultural items. The National Park Service is not responsible 
for the determinations in this notice.

History and Description of the Cultural Items

    Between 2004 and 2006, six sacred objects were removed from the 
Cama Beach Shell Midden (45-IS-2) in Island County, WA. State Parks 
contracted Cascadia Archaeology to perform excavation and data recovery 
of site 45-IS-2 for the purposes of upgrading sewer and utility lines. 
Historically the site is a 1930s-1980s fishing and vacation resort, 
with cabins for visitors and housing for owners and management, most of 
which still stand. During excavation and data recovery it was 
determined the site's prehistoric use was as a seasonal Native American 
fishing site. Both prehistoric and historic material was recovered from 
the site. Among the material were 3 complete and 3 fragmentary, 
culturally modified (perforated) Weathervane scallop shells.
    According to research, the scallop shells were incorporated into a 
rattle that would have been one of the cleansing devices used by a 
dancer in a ceremony of ritual purification during times of change or 
crisis. The rattles were passed down through families. The rattles are 
also known to have been used in cleansing ceremonies by shamans. Once 
identified, the objects remained in Cascadia Archaeology's custody 
until the overall collection of site material was transferred to the 
State Parks in 2009.
    Camano Island is located in Puget Sound between Whidbey Island and 
mainland Washington State; the Cama Beach Shell Midden site is on the 
western shores of the island. Saratoga Passage is a waterway between 
the two islands. Along Saratoga Passage, the shores of both islands are 
rich in prehistoric Native American seasonal resources sites.
    Historical and anthropological sources indicate that the Kikiallus, 
Swinomish, Lower Skagit and Stillaguamish peoples occupied and had 
village sites in the Penn Cove area of Whidbey Island and on the 
northwestern shore of Camano Island. The Snohomish people (a 
predecessor group to, and represented by, the Tulalip Tribes of 
Washington) had a permanent village at the southernmost end of the 
island.
    Through kinship ties and alliances and by invitation the Kikiallus, 
Upper Skagit, Lower Skagit, Snohomish, Stillaguamish, Snohomish, and 
Swinomish peoples utilized the waterways, resource grounds, and the 
beaches of Camano and Whidbey Islands. These peoples shared the same 
language, and maintained similar economic traditions, social and 
ceremonial customs, as well as trade and defense alliances.
    Based on historical and anthropological sources, State Parks staff 
has determined these sacred objects are culturally affiliated with the 
Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians of Washington (previously listed as the 
Stillaguamish Tribe of Washington); the Swinomish Indian Tribal 
Community (previously listed as the Swinomish Indians of the Swinomish 
Reservation of Washington); the Tulalip Tribes of Washington 
(previously listed as the Tulalip Tribes of the Tulalip Reservation, 
Washington); and the Upper Skagit Indian Tribe.

Determinations Made by the Washington State Parks and Recreation 
Commission

    Officials of the State Parks have determined that:
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(C), the 6 cultural items 
described above are specific ceremonial objects needed by traditional 
Native American religious leaders for the practice of traditional 
Native American religions by their present-day adherents.
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(2), there is a relationship of 
shared group identity that can be reasonably traced between the sacred 
objects and the Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians of Washington 
(previously listed as the Stillaguamish Tribe of Washington); the

[[Page 63796]]

Swinomish Indian Tribal Community (previously listed as the Swinomish 
Indians of the Swinomish Reservation of Washington); the Tulalip Tribes 
of Washington (previously listed as the Tulalip Tribes of the Tulalip 
Reservation, Washington); and the Upper Skagit Indian Tribe.

Additional Requestors and Disposition

    Lineal descendants or representatives of any Indian tribe or Native 
Hawaiian organization not identified in this notice that wish to claim 
these cultural items should submit a written request with information 
in support of the claim to Alicia Woods, Washington State Parks and 
Recreation Commission, PO Box 42650, Olympia, WA 98504-2650, telephone 
(360) 902-0939, email [email protected], by October 17, 2016. 
After that date, if no additional claimants have come forward, transfer 
of control of the sacred objects to the Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians 
of Washington (previously listed as the Stillaguamish Tribe of 
Washington); the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community (previously listed 
as the Swinomish Indians of the Swinomish Reservation of Washington); 
the Tulalip Tribes of Washington (previously listed as the Tulalip 
Tribes of the Tulalip Reservation, Washington); and the Upper Skagit 
Indian Tribe, may proceed.
    The State Parks is responsible for notifying the Stillaguamish 
Tribe of Indians of Washington (previously listed as the Stillaguamish 
Tribe of Washington); the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community (previously 
listed as the Swinomish Indians of the Swinomish Reservation of 
Washington); the Tulalip Tribes of Washington (previously listed as the 
Tulalip Tribes of the Tulalip Reservation, Washington); and the Upper 
Skagit Indian Tribe, that this notice has been published.

    Dated: August 23, 2016.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2016-22314 Filed 9-15-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4312-50-P