Notice of Inventory Completion for Native American Human Remains and Associated Funerary Objects in the Possession of the Delta County Historical Society Museum, Delta, CO

[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 103 (Friday, May 28, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29066-29067]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-13598]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Inventory Completion for Native American Human Remains 
and Associated Funerary Objects in the Possession of the Delta County 
Historical Society Museum, Delta, CO

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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    Notice is hereby given in accordance with provisions of the Native 
American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), 43 CFR 10.9, 
of the completion of an inventory of human remains and associated 
funerary objects in the possession of the Delta County Historical 
Society Museum, Delta, CO.
    A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by Delta County 
Historical Society professional staff in consultation with 
representatives of the Ute Indian Tribe of the Unitah and Ouray 
Reservation.
    In 1965, human remains representing one individual were removed 
from a site near Robidoux Creek, Uncompahgre Valley, Delta County, CO 
by William Davis. In 1965, these human remains were donated to the 
Delta County Historical Society. No known individuals were identified. 
The two associated funerary objects include a cradleboard of willow 
construction and a woven grass mat.

[[Page 29067]]

    Based on the manner of interment, the associated funerary objects, 
and the condition of the remains, this individual has been identified 
as Native American from the historic period. Prior to 1881, the site 
from which the human remains were recovered was a known grave area of 
the Uncompahgre Band of the Ute Nation. After 1881, all Ute Bands 
relocated to their present reservations. No other Indian tribes are 
known to have inhabited the Uncompahgre Valley during the historic 
period.
    Based on the above mentioned information, officials of the Delta 
County Historical Society 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 Delta 
County Historical Society have also determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 
10.2 (d)(2), the two objects listed above are 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 Delta County Historical Society have determined that, pursuant 
to 43 CFR 10.2 (e), there is a relationship of shared group identity 
which can be reasonably traced between these Native American human 
remains and associated funerary objects and the Ute Indian Tribe of the 
Unitah and Ouray Reservation.
    This notice has been sent to officials of the Ute Indian Tribe of 
the Unitah and Ouray Reservation, and the Ute Mountain Tribe of the Ute 
Mountain Reservation. Representatives of any other Indian tribe that 
believes itself to be culturally affiliated with these human remains 
and associated funerary objects should contact James K. Wetzel, 
Curator, Delta County Historical Society Museum, 251 Meeker Street, 
Delta, CO; telephone: (970) 874-8721, before June 28, 1999. 
Repatriation of the human remains and associated funerary objects to 
the Ute Indian Tribe of the Unitah and Ouray Reservation may begin 
after that date if no additional claimants come forward.
Dated: May 13, 1999.
Francis P. McManamon,
Departmental Consulting Archeologist,
Manager, Archeology and Ethnography Program.
[FR Doc. 99-13598 Filed 5-27-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-F