83 FR 7765 - Notice of Inventory Completion: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Alaska Region, Anchorage, AK

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 36 (February 22, 2018)

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Alaska Region (Alaska Region USFWS) has completed an inventory of human remains and associated funerary objects, in consultation with the appropriate Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations, 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 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 to the Alaska Region USFWS. If no additional requestors come forward, transfer of control of the human remains and associated funerary objects to the lineal descendants, Indian Tribes, or Native Hawaiian organizations stated in this notice may proceed.

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 36 (Thursday, February 22, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7765-7766]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-03634]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0024981; 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 (Alaska 
Region USFWS) has completed an inventory of human remains and 
associated funerary objects, in consultation with the appropriate 
Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations, 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 
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 to the Alaska Region USFWS. If no additional requestors 
come forward, transfer of control of the human remains and associated 
funerary objects 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

[[Page 7766]]

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 the Alaska Region USFWS at the address in 
this notice by March 26, 2018.

ADDRESSES: Edward DeCleva, Regional Historic Preservation Officer, 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 and 
associated funerary objects under the control of the Alaska Region 
USFWS, Anchorage, AK. The human remains and associated funerary objects 
were removed from Amchitka Island and Adak Island, Aleutians West 
Census Area, 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 and associated funerary objects. 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, the Atxam Corporation, and the Aleut 
Corporation.

History and Description of the Remains

    In 1944, human remains representing, at minimum, one individual 
were removed from an unknown site on Amchitka Island, Aleutians West 
Census Area, AK, by Fred Swearingen, who made surface collections from 
the midden site. The human remains were transferred to the University 
of Washington, Burke Museum in 1945, and then to the Alaska Region 
USFWS headquarters in 2016. The human remains include 21 vertebrae, 
three ribs, sternum, sacrum, one patella, and hand and foot bones, and 
represent one adult male. No known individual was identified. The one 
associated funerary object is an unmodified mammal bone.
    There are no diagnostics artifacts or radiocarbon dates associated 
with the human remains. The consensus among anthropologists is that 
midden sites began to appear around 3,000 years ago. The human remains 
were found on the surface of the midden and likely date to the Late 
Prehistoric period, possibly no earlier than 500--1000 years B.P.
    On April 15th, 1944, human remains representing, at minimum, one 
individual were removed from Adak Island, Aleutians West Census Area, 
AK, by Harley Goodrich while operating a bulldozer. The human remains 
include one cranium, discovered at a depth of approximately 25 feet. 
The human remains were transferred to the University of Washington, 
Burke Museum on August 1, 1944. A physical anthropologist at the Burke 
Museum determined that the human remains are from an adult female. No 
known individuals were identified. No known funerary objects were 
present.
    The present-day Aleut cultural affiliation with prehistoric Aleut 
populations is evident in the human remains. The context and physical 
traits are consistent with those expected for pre-contact Aleut 
populations.

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 two individuals of 
Native American ancestry.
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(A), the one object described 
in this notice is 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.
     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 DeCleva, Regional Historic 
Preservation Officer, 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 March 26, 2018. 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, the Atxam Corporation, and the Aleut Corporation that 
this notice has been published.

    Dated: February 2, 2018.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2018-03634 Filed 2-21-18; 8:45 am]
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