Notice of Intent To Repatriate Cultural Items: The Museum of Anthropology at Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 34331-34332 [2017-15467]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
• National Park Service

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 140 (Monday, July 24, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34331-34332]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-15467]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-23460; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]


Notice of Intent To Repatriate Cultural Items: The Museum of 
Anthropology at Washington State University, Pullman, WA

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Museum of Anthropology at Washington State University, in 
consultation with the appropriate Indian tribes or Native Hawaiian 
organizations, has determined that the cultural items listed in this 
notice meet the definition of unassociated funerary objects. Lineal 
descendants or representatives of any Indian tribe or Native Hawaiian 
organization not identified in this notice that wish to claim these 
cultural items should submit a written request to the Museum of 
Anthropology at Washington State University. If no additional claimants 
come forward, transfer of control of the cultural items to the lineal 
descendants, Indian tribes, or Native Hawaiian organizations stated in 
this notice may proceed.

DATES: Lineal descendants or representatives of any Indian tribe or 
Native Hawaiian organization not identified in this notice that wish to 
claim these cultural items should submit a written request with 
information in support of the claim to the Museum of Anthropology at 
Washington State University at the address in this notice by August 23, 
2017.

ADDRESSES: Mary Collins, Director Emeritus, Museum of Anthropology 
Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-4910 telephone, (509) 
592-6929, email collinsm@wsu.edu.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Notice is here given in accordance with the 
Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), 25 
U.S.C. 3005, of the intent to repatriate cultural items under the 
control of the Museum of Anthropology at Washington State University, 
Pullman, WA, that meet the definition of unassociated funerary objects 
under 25 U.S.C. 3001.
    This notice is published as part of the National Park Service's 
administrative responsibilities under NAGPRA, 25 U.S.C. 3003(d)(3). The 
determinations in this notice are the sole responsibility of the 
museum, institution, or Federal agency that has control of the Native 
American cultural items. The National

[[Page 34332]]

Park Service is not responsible for the determinations in this notice.

History and Description of the Cultural Item(s)

    In 1970, an unknown number of human remains and cultural items were 
removed from site 45AS8 in Asotin County, WA. Thirteen historic era 
burials were archeologically excavated from site 45AS8 as part of a 
highway relocation project. At that time, most of the human remains and 
associated funerary objects were reburied on the Nez Perce Reservation 
at the Old Spalding Cemetery in Spalding, ID. In 2013, the remaining 47 
(unassociated) funerary objects that were determined to be from 45AS8 
were located in storage at the Museum of Anthropology at Washington 
State University. The 47 unassociated funerary objects are 8 lots of 
flakes; 2 nails; 3 lots of small unidentifiable bone fragments; 4 lots 
of glass beads; 23 lots of coffin fragments; 3 lots of metal fragments; 
and 4 lots of buttons.

Determinations Made by the Museum of Anthropology at Washington State 
University

    Officials of the Museum of Anthropology at Washington State 
University have determined that:
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(B), the 47 cultural items 
described 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 and are believed, by a preponderance of the 
evidence, to have been removed from a specific burial site of a Native 
American individual.
     Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(2), there is a relationship of 
shared group identity that can be reasonably traced between the 
unassociated funerary objects and the Confederated Tribes of the 
Colville Reservation and Nez Perce Tribe (previously listed as the Nez 
Perce Tribe of Idaho).

Additional Requestors and Disposition

    Lineal descendants or representatives of any Indian tribe or Native 
Hawaiian organization not identified in this notice that wish to claim 
these cultural items should submit a written request with information 
in support of the claim to Mary Collins, Director Emeritus, the Museum 
of Anthropology at Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-4910 
telephone (509) 592-6929, email collinsm@wsu.edu, by August 23, 2017. 
After that date, if no additional claimants have come forward, transfer 
of control of the unassociated funerary objects to the Confederated 
Tribes of the Colville Reservation and Nez Perce Tribe (previously 
listed as the Nez Perce Tribe of Idaho) may proceed.
    The Museum of Anthropology at Washington State University is 
responsible for notifying the Confederated Tribes of the Colville 
Reservation and Nez Perce Tribe (previously listed as the Nez Perce 
Tribe of Idaho) that this notice has been published.

    Dated: May 24, 2017.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2017-15467 Filed 7-21-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4312-52-P