[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 198 (Thursday, October 10, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53238-53239]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-26042]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Notice of Inventory Completion for Native American Human Remains
in the Possession of Channel Islands National Park, Ventura, CA
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 possession
of the National Park Service, Channel Islands National Park, Ventura,
CA.
A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by National
Park Service professional staff in consultation with representatives of
the Santa Ynez Band of Mission Indians. Consultation also took place
with representatives of the Coastal Band of the Chumash and Southern
Band of the Chumash, both non-federally recognized Indian groups.
Between the 1920s and 1986, human remains representing three
individuals were collected from San Miguel Island. In the 1920s, human
remains representing two individuals were collected from a burial site
on the east end of San Miguel Island by Mr. Snyder. Possession of the
remains transferred to Jim Snyder, the collector's grandson, in 1956.
Jim Snyder gave the remains to the park in 1995. Between 1985 and 1986,
human remains representing a minimum of one individual were excavated
from Daisy Cave on San Miguel Island during a planned excavation. No
known individuals were identified. No associated funerary objects are
present. The remains from Daisy Cave were reburied in 1996 pursuant to
a 1989 agreement with concerned Chumash.
In 1977, human remains representing one individual were recovered
from a stream bed on Santa Cruz Island by Bill Connally, then owner of
the park's tour boat concession. These remains were donated to the park
in 1980. No known individuals were identified. No associated funerary
objects are present.
Between the 1920s and the mid-1970s, human remains representing two
individuals were collected from Santa Rosa Island. In the 1920s a skull
was collected by a visitor. Possession of the skull passed down to
Susan H. Parker who gave them to the park in 1993. In the mid-1970s, a
cranial vault was collected by an anonymous visitor. In 1990, these
remains were given to the park. No known individuals were identified.
No associated funerary objects are present.
The geographic affiliation of these human remains is consistent
with the historically documented territory of the Santa Ynez Band of
Mission Indians. Archeological evidence supports this evidence,
indicating that ancestors of the Santa Ynez came into the Channel
Islands area approximately 11,600 years ago and maintained an unbroken
sequence of occupation and development through the present. Both the
geographical and archeological evidence is consistent with the tribal
affiliation statements given by members of the Santa Ynez Band of
Mission Indians during an ethnographic affiliation study recently
conducted by the National Park Service.
Based on the above mentioned information, officials of the National
Park Service have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (d)(1), the
human remains listed above represent the physical remains of a minimum
of six individuals of Native American ancestry. Officials of the
National Park Service have also 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 the
Santa Ynez Band of Mission Indians.
This notice has been sent to officials of the Santa Ynez Band of
Mission Indians. Representatives of any other
[[Page 53239]]
Indian tribe that believes itself to be culturally affiliated with
these human remains and associated funerary objects should contact Tim
Setnicka, Acting Superintendent, Channel Islands National Park, 1901
Spinnaker Drive, Ventura, CA 93001; telephone: (805) 658-5700, before
November 12, 1996. Repatriation of the human remains and associated
funerary objects to the Santa Ynez Band of Mission Indians may begin
after that date if no additional claimants come forward.
Dated: October 4, 1996,
Francis P. McManamon,
Departmental Consulting Archeologist,
Manager, Archeology and Ethnography Program.
[FR Doc. 96-26042 Filed 10-9-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-F
