[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 124 (Friday, June 27, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 34775]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-16906]
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service, DOI
Notice of Inventory Completion for Native American Human Remains,
Associated Funerary Objects, and Unassociated Funerary Objects from
Indian Island, CA in the Possession of the Clarke Memorial Museum,
Eureka, CA
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,
associated funerary objects, and unassociated funerary objects in the
possession of the Clarke Memorial Museum, Eureka, CA.
A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by Clarke
Memorial Museum professional staff in consultation with representatives
of Blue Lake Rancheria, Bear River Band of the Rohnerville Rancheria,
and Table Bluff Rancheria of Wiyot Indians.
At an unknown date, human remains representing at least one
individual were removed from Indian Island, CA and donated to the
Clarke Memorial Museum by unknown person(s). No known individual was
identified. The 1,681 associated funerary objects include pine nut
beads, clam disc beads, charred wood fragments, and abalone fragments.
The other 2,680 cultural items include pine nut beads, clay balls,
abalone fragments, animal bone fragments, pebbles, and olivella shells
believed to have been recovered from other Native American burial sites
on Indian Island, CA.
Limited accession information indicates these human remains and
cultural items came from Indian Island, CA. In February 1860, Indian
Island was the site of a massacre of people of the Wiyot Tribe, the
only inhabitants of the island at the time. This individual has been
determined to be Native American based on the associated funerary
objects. The funerary objects and cultural items are consistent with
known Wiyot traditional funerary practice. Consultation evidence
indicates the survivors of the 1860 massacre became part of the Table
Bluff Rancheria of Wiyot Indians.
Based on the above mentioned information, officials of the Clarke
Memorial Museum have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (d)(1),
the human remains listed above represent the physical remains of at
least one individual of Native American ancestry. Officials of the
Clarke Memorial Museum have also determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C.
3001 (3)(A), the 1,681 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
Clarke Memorial Museum have determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001
(3)(B), these 2,680 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
Clarke Memorial 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
Table Bluff Rancheria of Wiyot Indians.
This notice has been sent to officials of the Blue Lake Rancheria,
Bear River Band of the Rohnerville Rancheria, and Table Bluff Rancheria
of Wiyot Indians. Representatives of any other Indian tribe that
believes itself to be culturally affiliated with these human remains,
associated funerary objects, and unassociated funerary objects should
contact Claudia Israel, Director-Curator, Clarke Memorial Museum, 240
``E'' Street, Eureka, CA 95501; telephone: (707) 443-1947, before July
28, 1997. Repatriation of the human remains, associated funerary
objects, and unassociated funerary objects to the Table Bluff Rancheria
of Wiyot Indians 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. 97-16906 Filed 6-26-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-F
