98-22540. Notice of Inventory Completion for Native American Human Remains and Associated Funerary Objects from Harney County, OR in the Control of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Princeton, OR

[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 162 (Friday, August 21, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44924-44925]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-22540]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Inventory Completion for Native American Human Remains 
and Associated Funerary Objects from Harney County, OR in the Control 
of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service, Princeton, OR

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), 43 CFR 10.9, 
of the completion of an inventory of human remains and associated 
funerary objects from Harney County, OR in the control of Malheur 
National Wildlife Refuge, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Princeton, 
OR.
    A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by Fish and 
Wildlife professional staff and Oregon State Museum of Anthropology 
professional staff in consultation with representatives of the Burns 
Paiute Tribe of the Burns Paiute Indian Colony.
    During the 1930s, human remains representing 15 individuals were 
recovered by Refuge Superintendent Stanley Jewett from the Sod House 
area following Civilian Conservation Corps construction activities. No 
known individuals were identified. The three associated funerary 
objects consist of two shell fragments and an obsidian flake.
    In 1970, human remains representing one individual were recovered 
from the Blitzen Marsh site (35-HA-9) during legally authorized field 
collections conducted by the University of Oregon. No known individual 
was identified. The six associated funerary objects are chunks of 
burned clay daub.
    In 1971, human remains representing one individual were recovered 
from the Dike site (35-HA-49) during a legally authorized field school 
conducted by Portland State University. No known individual was 
identified. The 201 associated funerary objects include a scraper, 
flakes, shell, and non-human bone.
    In 1973, human remains representing one individual were recovered 
from the C.D. Littlefield Memorial site (MNWR-90) during legally 
authorized field collections conducted by Portland State University 
personnel. No known individual was identified. No associated funerary 
objects were present.
    In 1974, human remains representing one individual were recovered 
from the

[[Page 44925]]

Boundary Surface site (35-HA-1020 or MNWR-77) during a legally 
authorized field school conducted by Portland State University 
personnel. In 1995, this collection was transferred and accessioned by 
the Oregon State Museum of Anthropology. No known individual was 
identified. No associated funerary objects were present.
    Based on apparent age, locations, archeological context, and 
osteological evidence, these human remains have been determined to be 
Native American. Based on archeological evidence, these burial have 
been determined to date to within the last 2,000 years. Based on oral 
history, ethnographic and historic accounts, age and locations of the 
burials, these remains have been affiliated with the Burns Paiute Tribe 
of the Burns Paiute Indian Colony. Consultation with representatives of 
the Burns Paiute Tribe of the Burns Paiute Indian Colony also indicates 
that the area from which these burials were recovered is within the 
historic territory of the Burns Paiute Tribe of the Burns Paiute Indian 
Colony.
    Based on the above mentioned information, officials of the U.S. 
Fish and Wildlife Service have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 
(d)(1), the human remains listed above represent the physical remains 
of a minimum of 17 individuals of Native American ancestry. Officials 
of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have also determined that, 
pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (d)(2), the 210 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 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have 
determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (e), there is a relationship 
of shared group identity which can be reasonably traced between these 
Native American human remains and associated funerary objects and the 
Burns Paiute Tribe of the Burns Paiute Indian Colony.
    This notice has been sent to officials of the Burns Paiute Tribe of 
the Burns Paiute Indian Colony. Representatives of any other Indian 
tribe that believes itself to be culturally affiliated with these human 
remains and associated funerary objects should contact Forrest Cameron, 
Project Leader, Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, H.C. 72 Box 245, 
Princeton, OR 97721; telephone: [phone], fax [phone], 
before September 21, 1998. Repatriation of the human remains and 
associated funerary objects to the Burns Paiute Tribe of the Burns 
Paiute Indian Colony may begin after that date if no additional 
claimants come forward.
Dated: August 11, 1998.
Francis P. McManamon,
Departmental Consulting Archeologist,
Manager, Archeology and Ethnography Program.
[FR Doc. 98-22540 Filed 8-20-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-F