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 SUNY Cortland Sociology/Anthropology Department, 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, six individuals have been identified. The, at least, 94 bags (of various sizes) of associated funerary objects include seeds, shell fragments, rock fragments, charred wood fragments, soil, non-human animal bone fragments, and plant fragments. At minimum, six individuals and their belongings were brought to SUNY Cortland by Dr. Ellie McDowell-Loudan in around the year 2010. The individuals and their belongings had been in the possession of the widow of an avocational archaeologist, thought to be Stephen J. Petrovsky. After his passing, his widow brought the individuals and their belongings to Dr. McDowell-Loudan at ( printed page 68543) SUNY Cortland. It is unknown when and from where the individuals were removed, but Mr. Petrovsky lived in and primarily excavated in and around Susquehannock lands in the 1970s, so it is believed the individuals were removed from a location in Susquehanna County, PA or Broome or Tioga County, NY. The individuals and their belongings were discovered in the archaeology lab at SUNY Cortland several years after Dr. McDowell-Loudan's retirement, at which time they were moved to a secure location within the SUNY Cortland Sociology/Anthropology Department.

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 and associated funerary objects described in this notice.

Determinations

The SUNY Cortland Sociology/Anthropology Department has determined that:

• The human remains described in this notice represent the physical remains of, at least, six individuals of Native American ancestry.
• The, at least, 94 bags of 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 Onondaga 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 November 30, 2026. If competing requests for repatriation are received, the SUNY Cortland Sociology/Anthropology Department 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 SUNY Cortland Sociology/Anthropology Department 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 68542