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 Field Museum, 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, 45 individuals have been identified. The 83 associated funerary objects are rings, bracelets, and faunal remains.

In May of 1897, Curator George A. Dorsey removed four individuals and five associated funerary objects from the Blood 148 Reserve in Alberta, Canada. In May of 1894, Indian Agent, Robert N. Wilson removed 23 individuals and 78 associated funerary objects from the Blood 148 Reserve, and five individuals from the Piikani 147 Reserve in Alberta, Canada. The Field Museum accessioned all of these 32 individuals in October of 1897. At some time prior to August 10, 1905, Wilson removed 13 individuals from the Piikani 147 Reserve. The Museum accessioned these individuals on August 10, 1905. Museum records and consultation indicate that these 45 individuals are culturally affiliated with the Blackfeet Tribe of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation of Montana based on a relationship of shared group identity. While they were removed from locations in Alberta, the human remains bear a relationship to a Tribe indigenous to the United States. There is no known presence of hazardous substances.

Cultural Affiliation

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

Determinations

The Field Museum has determined that:

• The human remains described in this notice represent the physical remains of 45 individuals of Native American ancestry.
• The 83 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 Blackfeet Tribe of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation of Montana.

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 30, 2026. If competing requests for repatriation are received, the Field Museum 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 Field Museum 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 55895