[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 148 (Friday, August 1, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 41412]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-20321]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
Notice of Inventory Completion for Native American Remains and
Associated Funerary Objects from Kiana, AK, in the Control of the
Alaska State Office, Bureau of Land Management, Anchorage, 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 from Kiana, AK in the control of the Alaska
State Office, Bureau of Land Management.
A detailed assessment of the human remains and associated funerary
objects 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 Kiana.
During 1941, human remains representing one individual was
recovered from a burial at the Ekseavik site in the vicinity of Kiana,
AK by J. Louis Giddings under unclear circumstances. The remains were
subsequently accessioned to the University Museum in Fairbanks, Alaska.
No known individual was identified. The 130 associated funerary objects
recovered include a sandstone lamp, 123 glass trade beads, 4 metal
bracelets, a large metal ulu blade, with shaped bone handle, and a
pyrite nodule, worn smooth on one face.
During 1947, human remains representing one individual were
recovered from the Kavet Creek site in the vicinity of Kiana, AK by J.
Louis Giddings under unclear circumstances. The remains were
subsequently accessioned to the University Museum in Fairbanks, Alaska.
No known individuals were identified. The 106 associated funerary
objects recovered include a broken coal labret, a polished elliptical
jade blade, a jade adze head, a jade ulu blade, an antler arrowhead and
net sinker, a chert arrowhead, several sandstone saw and whetstone
pieces, and various stone ulu, adze head, chisel, and other worked
stone fragments.
The geographic locations of the two sets of remains and associated
funerary objects listed above indicate that they are most probably
associated with residents of the Native Village of Kiana. The remains
from 1941 are undated but the presence of glass trade beads suggests
they are from the 18th or 19th century. The remains from 1947, while
undated, were thought by the excavator to date perhaps back to the 17th
century. This would be a time when the ancestors of people now living
in Kiana were in this area. Native Elders of Kiana recognize the areas
where the human remains were recovered as traditionally associated with
their village. They also report that the burial practices associated
with the Kavet Creek remains involve the burning of a house which is
consistent with practices performed in the region, including at Kiana,
into the.20th century.
Based on the above mentioned information, 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 two individuals of Native American ancestry. Officials of the Bureau
of Land Management have also determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C.
3001 (3)(A), the 236 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. Lastly, 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 Kiana.
This notice has been sent to officials of the Native Village of
Kiana. 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
September 2, 1997. Repatriation of the human remains and associated
funerary objects to the Native Village of Kiana may begin after that
date if no additional claimants come forward.
Dated: July 25, 1997.
Francis P. McManamon,
Departmental Consulting Archeologist,
Manager, Archeology and Ethnography Program.
[FR Doc. 97-20321 Filed 7-31-; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-F
