Notice of Inventory Completion: Eastern Washington University, Cheney, WA

[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 73 (Thursday, April 16, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20490-20491]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2026-07376]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[N7088; NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0042609; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]


Notice of Inventory Completion: Eastern Washington University, 
Cheney, WA

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and 
Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the Eastern Washington University has 
completed an inventory of human remains and has determined that there 
is a cultural affiliation between the human remains and Indian Tribes 
or Native Hawaiian organizations in this notice.

DATES: Repatriation of the human remains in this notice may occur on or 
after May 18, 2026.

ADDRESSES: Send written requests for repatriation of the human remains 
in this notice to Kate Valdez, NAGPRA Coordinator, Eastern Washington 
University, 214 Showalter Hall, Cheney, WA 99004, email 
vvaldez6@ewu.edu.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice is published as part of the 
National Park Service's administrative responsibilities under NAGPRA. 
The determinations in this notice are the sole responsibility of the 
Eastern Washington University, and additional information on the 
determinations in this notice, including the results of consultation, 
can be found in its inventory or related records. The National Park 
Service is not responsible for the determinations in this notice.

Abstract of Information Available

    Human remains representing, at least, two individuals has been 
identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
    Human remains representing, at minimum, one individual were removed 
from Pierce County, WA. In 1959, human remains representing one 
individual were removed from the property of Mr. M.V. Petersen during 
an excavation of Mr. Petersen's basement by Mr. James C. Garner and Mr. 
Butler. In 1974, the Burke Museum legally transferred portions of the 
human remains to Seattle University. Sometime in the early 1990s, these 
human remains were transferred to the Confederated Tribes of the 
Colville Reservation, then subsequently transferred in 1992 to Eastern 
Washington University for identification. No known individuals were 
identified.
    Human remains representing, at minimum, one individual were removed 
from King County, WA. In 1930, human remains representing one 
individual were removed Three Tree Point, King County, WA by Mr. Robert 
Higgins. The remains were collected by Erna Gunther Spier as part of a 
Washington State Museum field expedition. No known individuals were 
identified. In 1974, the Burke Museum legally transferred portions of 
the human remains to Seattle University. Sometime in the early 1990s, 
these human remains were transferred to the Confederated Tribes of the 
Colville Reservation, then subsequently transferred in 1992 to Eastern 
Washington University for identification.

Cultural Affiliation

    Based on the information available and the results of consultation, 
cultural affiliation is reasonably identified by the geographical 
location or acquisition history of the human remains described in this 
notice.

Determinations

    The Eastern Washington University has determined that:
    •  The human remains described in this notice represent the 
physical remains of two individuals of Native American ancestry.
    •  There is a connection between the human remains described 
in this notice

[[Page 20491]]

and the Puyallup Tribe of the Puyallup Reservation.

Requests for Repatriation

    Written requests for repatriation of the human remains in this 
notice must be sent to the authorized representative identified in this 
notice under ADDRESSES. Requests for repatriation may be submitted by:
    1. Any one or more of the Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian 
organizations identified in this notice.
    2. Any lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian 
organization not identified in this notice who shows, by a 
preponderance of the evidence, that the requestor is a lineal 
descendant or an Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization with 
cultural affiliation.
    Repatriation of the human remains described in this notice to a 
requestor may occur on or after May 18, 2026. If competing requests for 
repatriation are received, the Eastern Washington University must 
determine the most appropriate requestor prior to repatriation. 
Requests for joint repatriation of the human remains are considered a 
single request and not competing requests. The Eastern Washington 
Universityis responsible for sending a copy of this notice to the 
Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations identified in this 
notice and any other consulting parties.
    Authority: Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, 
25 U.S.C. 3003, and the implementing regulations, 43 CFR 10.10.

    Dated: April 8, 2026.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2026-07376 Filed 4-15-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-52-P