Notice of Inventory Completion for Native American Human Remains and an Associated Funerary Object From Park County, MT in the Possession of the Buffalo Bill Historical Center, Cody, WY

[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 222 (Tuesday, November 18, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 61526]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-30231]



[[Page 61526]]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Inventory Completion for Native American Human Remains 
and an Associated Funerary Object From Park County, MT in the 
Possession of the Buffalo Bill Historical Center, Cody, WY

AGENCY: National Park Service.

ACTION: Notice.

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    Notice is hereby given in accordance with provisions of the Native 
American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), 25 U.S.C. 
3003 (d), of the completion of an inventory of human remains and an 
associated funerary object in the possession of the Buffalo Bill 
Historical Center, Cody, WY.
    A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by Buffalo Bill 
Historical Center professional staff in consultation with 
representatives of the Crow Tribe of Montana.
    In 1974, human remains representing one individual were removed 
from the Fricker Ranch by Federal Bureau of Investigation personnel 
following notification by the Park County Coroner that human remains 
had been discovered. In 1974, these human remains were donated to 
Buffalo Bill Historical Center by Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Gardner of the 
Fricker Ranch. No known individuals were identified. The associated 
funerary object is a nickel pendant with a date of 1835.
    Based on posterior cradle deformation, shovel incisors, and dental 
wear patterns, this individual has been identified as Native American, 
specifically from the Northern Plains. Based on the date of the 
pendant, this burial is estimated to date to circa the mid-nineteenth 
century. Historical documents indicate that Park County was well within 
the Crow territory of the nineteenth century.
    Based on the above mentioned information, officials of the Buffalo 
Bill Historical Center have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 
10.2(d)(1), the human remains listed above represent the physical 
remains of one individual of Native American ancestry. Officials of the 
Buffalo Bill Historical Center have also determined that, pursuant to 
25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(A), the one object listed above is reasonably 
believed to have been placed with or near individual human remains at 
the time of death or later as part of the death rite or ceremony. 
Lastly, officials of the Buffalo Bill Historical Center have determined 
that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(2), there is a relationship of shared 
group identity which can be reasonably traced between these Native 
American human remains and associated funerary object and the Crow 
Tribe of Montana.
    This notice has been sent to officials of the Crow Tribe of 
Montana, the Blackfoot Tribe of the Blackfoot Indian Reservation, and 
the Shoshone Tribe of the Wind River Reservation. Representatives of 
any other Indian tribe that believes itself to be culturally affiliated 
with these human remains and associated funerary objects should contact 
Emma I. Hansen, Curator, Buffalo Bill Historical Center, 720 Sheridan 
Avenue, Cody, WY 82414; telephone: (307) 587-4771, before December 18, 
1997. Repatriation of the human remains and associated funerary objects 
to the Crow Tribe of Montana may begin after that date if no additional 
claimants come forward.

    Dated: November 5, 1997.
Francis P. McManamon,
Departmental Consulting Archeologist, Manager, Archeology and 
Ethnography Program.
[FR Doc. 97-30231 Filed 11-17-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-M