81 FR 70439 - Notice of Inventory Completion: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Alaska Region, Anchorage, AK

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 197 (October 12, 2016)

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Alaska Region, Anchorage, AK (Alaska Region USFWS), has completed an inventory of human remains, in consultation with the appropriate Indian tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations, including Alaska Native Tribes, and has determined that there is a cultural affiliation between the human remains and present- day Indian tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations. Lineal descendants or representatives of any Indian tribe or Native Hawaiian organization, including Alaska Native Tribes, not identified in this notice that wish to request transfer of control of these human remains should submit a written request to the Alaska Region USFWS. If no additional requestors come forward, transfer of control of the human remains to the lineal descendants, Indian tribes, or Native Hawaiian organizations stated in this notice may proceed.

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 197 (Wednesday, October 12, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Page 70439]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-24593]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-21929; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]


Notice of Inventory Completion: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 
Alaska Region, Anchorage, AK

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Alaska Region, Anchorage, 
AK (Alaska Region USFWS), has completed an inventory of human remains, 
in consultation with the appropriate Indian tribes or Native Hawaiian 
organizations, including Alaska Native Tribes, and has determined that 
there is a cultural affiliation between the human remains and present-
day Indian tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations. Lineal descendants 
or representatives of any Indian tribe or Native Hawaiian organization, 
including Alaska Native Tribes, not identified in this notice that wish 
to request transfer of control of these human remains should submit a 
written request to the Alaska Region USFWS. If no additional requestors 
come forward, transfer of control of the human remains to the lineal 
descendants, Indian tribes, or Native Hawaiian organizations stated in 
this notice may proceed.

DATES: Representatives of any Indian tribes or Native Hawaiian 
organizations, including Alaska Native Tribes, not identified in this 
notice that wish to request transfer of control of these human remains 
should submit a written request with information in support of the 
request to the Alaska Region USFWS at the address in this notice by 
November 14, 2016.

ADDRESSES: Edward J. DeCleva, Regional Archaeologist, U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service, Alaska Region, 1011 East Tudor Road, MS-235, 
Anchorage, AK 99503, telephone (907) 786-3399, 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. 3003, of the completion of an inventory of human remains under 
the control of the Alaska Region USFWS. The human remains were removed 
from Rat Island, AK.
    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 human remains. The National Park Service is not responsible 
for the determinations in this notice.

Consultation

    A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by the Alaska 
Region USFWS professional staff in consultation with representatives of 
the Native Village of Atka, Atxam am Corporation, and the Aleut 
Corporation.

History and Description of the Remains

    In 1951, human remains representing, at minimum, one individual 
were removed from Rat Island, AK. In 1952, they were transferred to the 
University of Oregon Museum of Natural and Cultural History by Dr. H. 
Powers, USGS. It is likely that the remains were received under the 
oversight of Dr. William S. Laughlin, who was connected to the 
University of Oregon at that time, but there is no further information. 
No known individuals were identified. No funerary objects were 
recovered.
    The Rat Islands were occupied by Native Aleuts from at least 6000 
years ago until modern times. The label of the remains as ``Paleo-
Aleut'' in accession records may reflect Dr. William Laughlin's 
opinion, based on skull morphology, that the remains represented a 
population preceding modern Aleut peoples, but this cannot be 
confirmed. The human remains are thought to represent an adult male, 
35-45 years old. Skeletal analysis indicated an individual of Native 
American affiliation.

Determinations Made by the Alaska Region USFWS

    Officials of the Alaska Region USFWS have determined that:
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(9), the human remains described 
in this notice represent the physical remains of one individual of 
Native American ancestry.
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(2), there is a relationship of 
shared group identity that can be reasonably traced between the Native 
American human remains and the Native Village of Atka.

Additional Requestors and Disposition

    Lineal descendants or representatives of any Indian tribe or Native 
Hawaiian organization not identified in this notice that wish to 
request transfer of control of these human remains and associated 
funerary objects should submit a written request with information in 
support of the request to Edward J. DeCleva, Regional Archaeologist, 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Alaska Region, 1011 East Tudor Road, 
MS-235, Anchorage, AK 99503, telephone (907) 786-3399, email 
[email protected], by November 14, 2016. After that date, if no 
additional requestors have come forward, transfer of control of the 
human remains and associated funerary objects to the Native Village of 
Atka may proceed.
    The Alaska Region USFWS is responsible for notifying the Native 
Village of Atka, Atxam am Corporation, and the Aleut Corporation that 
this notice has been published.

    Dated: September 26, 2016.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2016-24593 Filed 10-11-16; 8:45 am]
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