[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 181 (Friday, September 18, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49924-49925]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-25041]
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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 Mackinac County, MI in the
Possession of the Michigan State University Museum, Michigan State
University, East Lansing, MI
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 Mackinac County, MI in the possession of the
Michigan State University Museum, Michigan State University, East
Lansing, MI.
A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by Michigan
State University Museum professional staff in consultation with
representatives of Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians.
During 1966-1967, human remains representing a minimum of 137
individuals were recovered from the Lasanen site during legally
authorized excavations conducted by the Michigan State University
Museum. During this time, Mrs. Marie Lasanen, owner of the Lasanen
site, donated these human remains to the Michigan State University
Museum. No known individuals were identified. The 18,622 associated
funerary objects include metal and trade items such as; knives, awls,
harpoons, scissors, strike-a-lites, projectile points, finger rings,
bracelets, a box, a sword pommel, buttons, bells, tinkling cones, saw
parts, a trade silver cross, a pail, iron mail, Jesuit rings, and
medallions; shell items including beads pendants runtees, effigies, and
a gorget; catlinite pendants and beads; antler, bone, and ivory
harpoons, points, fakes, containers, a comb, and buttons; chipped stone
items including gunflints, scrapers, and projectile points; textiles;
glass beads; and wood, charcoal, fabric remnants, ochre, vermillion,
and animal bone fragments.
Based on analysis of the associated funerary objects and manner of
interment, the Lasanen site has been identified as a late 17th century
burial site. Historical documents correlate the presence of an Ottawa
(Odawa) settlement on the site during the 17th century. Jesuit
documents from the period describe an Ottawa mortuary ceremony in close
proximity to the Lasanen site which correspond to the manner of
interments found during the Lasanen excavations. Oral tradition
presented by representatives of the Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa
Indians states the Ottawa formerly lived at the Straits of Mackinac,
where the Lasanen site is located, and the place is referred to as
Geteodawin, ``the place of our old town.''
Based on the above mentioned information, officials of the Michigan
State University Museum have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2
(d)(1), the human remains listed above represent the physical remains
of a minimum of 137 individuals of Native
[[Page 49925]]
American ancestry. Officials of the Michigan State University Museum
have also determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (d)(2), the 18,622
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 Michigan State
University Museum 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 Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa
Indians.
This notice has been sent to officials of the Little Traverse Bay
Band of Odawa Indians. Representatives of any other Indian tribe that
believes itself to be culturally affiliated with these human remains
and associated funerary objects should contact Dr. William A. Lovis,
Curator and Professor of Anthropology, Michigan State University
Museum, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824-1045;
telephone: (517) 355-3485, before October 19, 1998. Repatriation of the
human remains and associated funerary objects to the Little Traverse
Bay Band of Odawa Indians may begin after that date if no additional
claimants come forward.
Dated: September 3, 1998.
Francis P. McManamon,
Departmental Consulting Archeologist,
Manager, Archeology and Ethnography Program.
[FR Doc. 98-25041 Filed 9-17-98; 8:45 am]
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