97-15225. Notice of Inventory Completion for Native American Human Remains, Associated Funerary Objects, and an Unassociated Funerary Object from Hartstine Island, Mason County, WA in the Possession of the Burke Museum, University of Washington, ...

[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 112 (Wednesday, June 11, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31841-31842]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-15225]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Inventory Completion for Native American Human Remains, 
Associated Funerary Objects, and an Unassociated Funerary Object from 
Hartstine Island, Mason County, WA in the Possession of the Burke 
Museum, University of Washington, Seattle, WA

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, 
associated funerary objects, and an unassociated funerary object from 
Hartstine Island, Mason County, WA, in the possession of the Burke 
Museum, University of Washington, Seattle, WA.
    A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by Burke Museum 
professional staff in consultation with representatives of the Squaxin 
Island Tribe.
    In 1923, human remains representing two individuals were removed 
from graves on Hartstine Island, Mason County, WA by Mr. A.G. Colley 
and donated to the Burke Museum. No known individuals were identified. 
The six associated funerary objects include five wood fragments and one 
copper-stained stone.
    Also in 1923, cultural items consisting of a whalebone club and 
soil from a grave on Hartstine were removed by Mr. A.G. Colley and 
donated to the Burke Museum. No human remains from this grave are 
present.

[[Page 31842]]

    Hartstine Island has been identified as having been occupied by the 
Squaxin Island Tribe from pre-contact times into the historic period 
based on historical documents, ethnographic and anthropological 
evidence, and continuity of material culture. Oral history presented by 
representatives of the Squaxin Island Tribe further supports this 
conclusion.
    Based on the above mentioned information, officials of the Burke 
Museum have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (d)(1), the human 
remains listed above represent the physical remains of two individuals 
of Native American ancestry. Officials of the Burke Museum have also 
determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (3)(A), the six 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. Officials of the Burke Museum have further 
determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (3)(B), these two cultural 
items 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 and are believed, by a preponderance of the 
evidence, to have been removed from a specific burial site of an Native 
American individual. Lastly, officials of the Burke Museum 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, associated funerary 
objects, and unassociated funerary objects and the Squaxin Island 
Tribe.
    This notice has been sent to officials of the Squaxin Island Tribe. 
Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to be 
culturally affiliated with these human remains and associated funerary 
objects should contact Dr. James Nason, Chair of the Repatriation 
Committee, Burke Museum, Box 353010, University of Washington, Seattle, 
WA 98195; telephone: [phone], before July 11, 1997. Repatriation 
of the human remains, associated funerary objects, and unassociated 
funerary objects to the Squaxin Island Tribe may begin after that date 
if no additional claimants come forward.
    The National Park Service is not responsible for the determinations 
within this notice.
Dated: June 2, 1997.
Francis P. McManamon,
Departmental Consulting Archeologist,
Manager, Archeology and Ethnography Program.
[FR Doc. 97-15225 Filed; 6-10-97 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-F