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 St. Joseph Museums, Inc. 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, three individuals have been identified. The 101 associated funerary objects are one piece of wood, 41 faunal remains (worked and unworked), five rocks/pebbles, 10 lithics/lithic fragments, 12 shells, 29 pottery sherds, two geodes, and one metal sword. These individuals and the associated funerary objects in this notice are part of a single collection held by the museum. The collection was donated in 1957 by H.C. McWilliams of Easton, Missouri. The individuals and the associated funerary objects were collected at an unknown date from Bruce Cave, also known as Goats Bluff Cave, and has the archaeological site identification number 23PU44. It is not believed that these individuals and the associated funerary objects were collected as part of an organized archaeological excavation. There are no known hazardous materials used to treat the individuals or the associated funerary objects.

Cultural Affiliation

Based on the information available and the results of consultation, cultural affiliation is clearly identified by the geographical location of the human remains and associated funerary objects described in this notice.

Determinations

The St. Joseph Museums, Inc. has determined that: ( printed page 48934)

• The human remains described in this notice represent the physical remains of three individuals of Native American ancestry.
• The 101 objects described in this notice are reasonably believed to have been placed intentionally with or near individual human remains at the time of death or later as part of the death rite or ceremony.
• There is a connection between the human remains and associated funerary objects described in this notice and The Osage Nation.

Requests for Repatriation

Written requests for repatriation of the human remains and associated funerary objects 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 and associated funerary objects described in this notice to a requestor may occur on or after September 2, 2026. If competing requests for repatriation are received, the St. Joseph Museums, Inc. must determine the most appropriate requestor prior to repatriation. Requests for joint repatriation of the human remains and associated funerary objects are considered a single request and not competing requests. The St. Joseph Museums, Inc. is 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.

91 FR 48933