2017-08867. Notice of Inventory Completion: Kansas State Historical Society, Topeka, KS

AGENCY:

National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Kansas State Historical Society has completed an inventory of human remains and associated funerary objects, in consultation with the appropriate Indian tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations, and has determined that there is a cultural affiliation between the human remains and associated funerary objects and present-day Indian tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations. Lineal descendants or representatives of any Indian tribe or Native Hawaiian organization not identified in this notice that wish to request transfer of control of these human remains and associated funerary objects should submit a written request to the Kansas State Historical Society. If no additional requestors come forward, transfer of control of the human remains and associated funerary objects to the lineal descendants, Indian tribes, or Native Hawaiian organizations stated in this notice may proceed.

DATES:

Lineal descendants or representatives of any Indian tribe or Native Hawaiian organization not identified in this notice that wish to request transfer of control of these human remains and associated funerary objects should submit a written request with information in support of the request to the Kansas State Historical Society at the address in this notice by June 2, 2017.

ADDRESSES:

Dr. Robert J. Hoard, Kansas State Historical Society, 6425 SW 6th Avenue, Topeka, KS 66615-1099, telephone [phone], extension 269, email [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Notice is here given in accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), 25 U.S.C. 3003, of the completion of an inventory of human remains and associated funerary objects under the control of the Kansas State Historical Society, Topeka, KS. The human remains and associated funerary objects were removed from a creek bank in Cherokee County, KS.

This notice is published as part of the National Park Service's administrative responsibilities under NAGPRA, 25 U.S.C. 3003(d)(3). The determinations in this notice are the sole responsibility of the museum, institution, or Federal agency that has control of the Native American human remains and associated funerary objects. The National Park Service is not responsible for the determinations in this notice.

Consultation

A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by the Kansas State Historical Society professional staff in consultation with representatives of the Cherokee Nation; Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians; Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma; Miami Tribe of Oklahoma; Ottawa Tribe of Oklahoma; Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma; Seneca Nation of Indians (previously listed as the Seneca Nation of New York); The Osage Nation (previously listed as the Osage Tribe), The Quapaw Tribe of Indians; Tonawanda Band of Seneca (previously listed as the Tonawanda Band of Seneca Indians of New York); Wichita and Affiliated Tribes (Wichita, Keechi, Waco & Tawakonie), Oklahoma; and Wyandotte Nation.

History and Description of the Remains

On October 3, 2015, human remains representing, at minimum, one individual were removed from Cherokee County, KS. Four 15 year-old boys were camping in rural Cherokee County, KS, when they discovered the remains of a human skull near a creek bank on a tributary of Shoal Creek. They notified the Cherokee County Attorney, Nathan Coleman, who then contacted the Cherokee County Sheriff, David Groves. Sheriff Groves contacted forensic anthropologist Dr. Michael Finnegan, who examined the remains and determined them to be, more likely than not, from an American Indian male, approximately 30-40 years old. The human remains were determined to be approximately 500 years old. The human remains were subsequently sent to the Office of the State Archaeologist, Kansas Historical Society, on December 5, 2016. No known individuals were identified. The one associated funerary object is an animal metatarsal.

Determination of cultural affiliation is based on historic maps of the territories of Kansas and Nebraska available at University of Kansas Libraries and the Kansas Historical Society, early historical accounts, and archeological evidence of the tribes known to be associated with the area.

Determinations Made by the Kansas State Historical Society

Officials of the Kansas State Historical Society have determined that:

• Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(9), the human remains described in this notice represent the physical remains of one individual of Native American ancestry.
• Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(A), the one object described in this notice 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.
• Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(2), there is a relationship of shared group identity that can be reasonably traced between the Native American human remains and associated funerary objects and The Osage Nation (previously listed as the Osage Tribe).

Additional Requestors and Disposition

Lineal descendants or representatives of any Indian tribe or Native Hawaiian organization not identified in this notice that wish to request transfer of control of these human remains and associated funerary objects should submit a written request with information in support of the request to Dr. Robert J. Hoard, Kansas State Historical Society, 6425 SW 6th Avenue, Topeka, KS 66615-1099, telephone [phone], extension 269, email [e-mail], by June 2, 2017. After that date, if no additional requestors have come forward, transfer of control of the human remains and associated funerary objects to The Osage Nation (previously listed as the Osage Tribe) may proceed.

The Kansas State Historical Society is responsible for notifying the Cherokee Nation; Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians; Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma; Miami Tribe of Oklahoma; Ottawa Tribe of Oklahoma; Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma; Seneca Nation of Indians (previously listed as the Seneca Nation of New York); The Osage Nation (previously listed as the Osage Tribe), The Quapaw Tribe of Indians; Tonawanda Band of Seneca (previously listed as the Tonawanda Band of Seneca Indians of New York); Wichita and Affiliated Tribes (Wichita, Keechi, Waco & Tawakonie), Oklahoma; and Wyandotte Nation that this notice has been published.

Dated: March 7, 2017.

Melanie O'Brien,

Manager, National NAGPRA Program.