[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 124 (Friday, June 27, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34777-34778]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-16905]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service, DOI
Notice of Inventory Completion for Native American Remains and
Associated Funerary Objects From Teller, AK, in the Control of the
Alaska State Office, Bureau of Land Management, Anchorage, AK
AGENCY: National Park Service, DOI.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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
associated funerary objects in the control of the Alaska State Office,
Bureau of Land Management.
A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by Bureau of
Land Management professional staff and University of Alaska Museum
professional staff in consultation with representatives of the Native
Village of Teller.
During 1949, human remains representing two individuals from Point
Spencer in the vicinity of Teller, AK were donated to the University of
Alaska Museum by Charles Lucier. At an unknown date, Mr. Lucier had
received these individuals as a gift from an unnamed person. No known
individuals were identified. No associated funerary objects were
recovered.
During 1950, human remains representing five individuals (four
adults and one child) were recovered from the vicinity of Teller, AK by
Helge Larsen under unknown circumstances. No known individuals were
identified.
[[Page 34778]]
No associated funerary objects were recovered.
During 1961, human remains representing six individuals were
surface-collected from the Seward Peninsula in the vicinity of Teller,
AK by Frederick Hadleigh West Also in 1961, West surface-collected
cranial elements of two individuals from a tundra burial on the Seward
Peninsula in the vicinity of Teller. No known individuals were
identified. No associated funerary objects were recovered.
Archeological and ethnographic evidence indicates the general
region of Point Spencer shows a continuity of occupation from 900 AD to
the present based on technologies, material culture, and manner of
interment. All of the remains are undated and may be as recent as the
late 19th or early 20th century when the ancestors of people now living
in Teller were in this area. Native Elders recognize the areas where
the human remains were recovered as traditionally associated with their
village, and that tundra burials are the traditional manner of
internment.
Based on the above mentioned information, including oral history,
officials of the Bureau of Land Management have determined that,
pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (d)(1), the human remains listed above
represent the physical remains of fifteen individuals of Native
American ancestry. Officials of the Bureau of Land Management 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 Native Village of
Teller.
This notice has been sent to officials of the Native Village of
Teller. Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself
to be culturally affiliated with these human remains and associated
funerary objects should contact Dr. Robert E. King, Alaska State NAGPRA
Coordinator, Bureau of Land Management, 222 W. 7th Avenue, #13,
Anchorage, Alaska 99513-7599; telephone (907) 271-5510, before July 28,
1997. Repatriation of the human remains to the Native Village of Teller
may begin after that date if no additional claimants come forward.
Dated: June 19, 1997.
Francis P. McManamon,
Departmental Consulting Archeologist,
Manager, Archeology and Ethnography Program.
[FR Doc. 97-16905 Filed 6-26-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-F
