SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

This notice is published as part of the National Park Service's administrative responsibilities under NAGPRA. The ( printed page 60399) determinations in this notice are the sole responsibility of Michigan State University, and additional information on the determinations in this notice, including the results of consultation, can be found in the summary or related records. The National Park Service is not responsible for the determinations in this notice.

Abstract of Information Available

A total of 37 cultural items have been requested for repatriation.

The one unassociated funerary object is a copper pike from Baraga County. The 36 sacred objects/objects of cultural patrimony are one bone pipe from Baraga County; one copper axe and one copper adze from Houghton County; one stone pipe, one stone hammer, two stone scrapers, and one sandstone from Keweenaw County; one lot of objects from 20MQ22; 22 lots of objects collected from Deer Lake, Marquette County; one lot of objects from Baby Lake, Marquette County; three lots of lithics from Ontonagon County; and one quartzite pipe from Ontonagon County.

Of the above objects, five are from the Boudeman collection, collected by Donald Boudeman and donated to Michigan State University in 1961 by Donna Boudeman after his passing. A total of four of the objects are from the Chamberlain Memorial Museum collection, which was acquired by Michigan State University in 1952. A total of six of the lots were the result of professional archaeological survey conducted by Michigan State University or by an outside contractor. The remaining 22 lots were collected by avocational archaeologists and donated to Michigan State University in 1997. No known hazardous substances have been used to treat any of the objects.

Determinations

Michigan State University has determined that:

• The one unassociated funerary object described in this notice is reasonably believed to have been placed intentionally with or near human remains, and are connected, either at the time of death or later as part of the death rite or ceremony of a Native American culture according to the Native American traditional knowledge of a lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization. The unassociated funerary object has been identified by a preponderance of the evidence as related to human remains, specific individuals, or families, or removed from a specific burial site or burial area of an individual or individuals with cultural affiliation to an Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization.
• The 36 sacred objects/objects of cultural patrimony described in this notice are, according to the Native American traditional knowledge of an Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization, specific ceremonial objects needed by a traditional Native American religious leader for present-day adherents to practice traditional Native American religion, and have ongoing historical, traditional, or cultural importance central to the Native American group, including any constituent sub-group (such as a band, clan, lineage, ceremonial society, or other subdivision).
• There is a connection between the cultural items described in this notice and the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, Michigan.

Requests for Repatriation

Additional, written requests for repatriation of the cultural items in this notice must be sent to the authorized representative identified in this notice under ADDRESSES . Requests for repatriation may be submitted by 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 a culturally affiliated Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization.

Repatriation of the cultural items in this notice to a requestor may occur on or after October 23, 2026. If competing requests for repatriation are received, Michigan State University must determine the most appropriate requestor prior to repatriation. Requests for joint repatriation of the cultural items are considered a single request and not competing requests. Michigan State University is responsible for sending a copy of this notice to the Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations identified in this notice and to any other consulting parties.

Authority: Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, 25 U.S.C. 3004 and the implementing regulations, 43 CFR 10.9.

91 FR 60398