[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 136 (Wednesday, July 16, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 38116]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-18709]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
Notice of Inventory Completion for Native American Human Remains
and Associated Funerary Objects in the Possession of the Noatak
National Preserve, National Park Service, Kotzebue, AK
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 and
associated funerary objects in the possession of the Noatak National
Preserve, National Park Service, Kotzebue, AK.
A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by professional
staff of the National Park Service in consultation with representatives
of the Native Village of Noatak and the Northwest Alaska Native
Association.
In 1982, human remains representing one individual were collected
by a park visitor during a boating trip down the Noatak River. No known
individuals were identified. No associated funerary objects are
present.
Park records indicate that the remains were collected from an area
75 miles downstream of Lake Matcherak on the Noatak River. The exact
location is not known. The human remains are dated to the 19th century
AD based on the state of preservation. Historical documentation as well
as testimony from Inupiaq elders indicates this area was located within
the traditional territory of the historic Nuataagmiut. The descendants
of the historic Nuataagmiut have been widely dispersed. However, the
largest group of descendants currently reside in Noatak, Alaska and are
represented by the Native Village of Noatak.
Based on the above 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 one individual
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 Native Village of
Noatak.
This notice has been sent to officials of the Native Village of
Noatak and Northwest Alaska Native Association. Representatives of any
other Indian tribe that believes itself to be culturally affiliated
with these human remains should contact Superintendent David Spirtes,
Northwest Alaska Areas, P.O. Box 1029, Kotzebue, Alaska, 99752,
telephone (907) 442-3760, before August 15, 1997. Repatriation of the
human remains to the Native Village of Noatak may begin after that date
if no additional claimants come forward.
Dated: July 10, 1997.
Veletta Canouts,
Acting Departmental Consulting Archeologist, Assistant Manager,
Archeology and Ethnography Program.
[FR Doc. 97-18709 Filed 7-15-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-F
