97-23367. Notice of Inventory Completion for Native American Human Remains from Fort Stevenson, Dakota Territory in the Possession of the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA

[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 170 (Wednesday, September 3, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46510-46511]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-23367]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Inventory Completion for Native American Human Remains 
from Fort Stevenson, Dakota Territory in the Possession of the Peabody 
Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA

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 from Fort 
Stevenson, Dakota Territory in the possession of the Peabody Museum of 
Archaeology and Ethnology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA.
    A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by Peabody 
Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology professional staff in consultation 
with representatives of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, Devil's Lake 
Sioux Tribe, Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes of the Fort Peck Reservation, 
and the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe.
    In 1867, human remains representing three individuals were removed 
from Fort Stevenson, Dakota Territory by U.S. Army Surgeon Charles C. 
Gray and Acting Assistant Surgeon Washington Matthews on behalf of the 
Smithsonian

[[Page 46511]]

Institution. No known individuals were identified. No associated 
funerary objects are present.
    Neither the records of the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and 
Ethnology nor the Smithsonian Institution indicate the date of transfer 
of these individuals to the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and 
Ethnology. Primary accession and catalogue documents associated with 
these individuals at the Smithsonian record the individuals to be 
``Yanktonnais Sioux.'' Cuthead Band of Upper Yanktonai Sioux oral 
traditions and historical documents indicate that Fort Stevenson was 
located within the Cuthead Band's traditional territory during the 
nineteenth century. The specific cultural affiliation attributed to the 
individuals by the collectors and the known policy during the nineenth 
century of the Smithsonian to request the remains of recently deceased 
Native individuals to be collected by U.S. Army personnel and Indian 
agents and sent to the Smithsonian Institution further support 
affiliation with the Cuthead Band of Yanktonai Sioux. The Cuthead Band 
of Yanktonai Sioux are represented by the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, 
Devil's Lake Sioux Tribe, Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes of the Fort Peck 
Reservation, and the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe.
    Based on the above mentioned information, officials of the Peabody 
Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology have determined that, pursuant to 
43 CFR 10.2 (d)(1), the human remains listed above represent the 
physical remains of three individuals of Native American ancestry. 
Officials of the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology 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 and the Cheyenne River 
Sioux Tribe, Devil's Lake Sioux Tribe, Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes of 
the Fort Peck Reservation, and the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe.
    This notice has been sent to officials of the Cheyenne River Sioux 
Tribe, Devil's Lake Sioux Tribe, Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes of the 
Fort Peck Reservation, and the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. 
Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to be 
culturally affiliated with these human remains and associated funerary 
objects should contact Barbara Isaac, Repatriation Coordinator, Peabody 
Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, Harvard University, 11 Divinity 
Ave., Cambridge, MA 02138; telephone: [phone], before [thirty 
days after publication in the Federal Register]. Repatriation of the 
human remains and associated funerary objects to the culturally 
affiliated tribes may begin after that date if no additional claimants 
come forward.
Dated: August 28, 1997.
Francis P. McManamon,
Departmental Consulting Archeologist,
Manager, Archeology and Ethnography Program.
[FR Doc. 97-23367 Filed 9-2-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-F