Notice of Inventory Completion: Muskegon County Museum, Muskegon, MI, 79504-79506 [E8-30899]
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79504
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 249 / Monday, December 29, 2008 / Notices
February 5—Ely RMP
implementation, wild horse and burros,
off-highway vehicles, mining updates,
term permit renewals, wind energy
proposals.
April 9—Battle Mountain RMP preplanning, SNPLMA Round 10 review of
proposals and public comment for
development of recommendations to the
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Project, off-highway vehicles, mining
updates.
June 17–18—Healthy Lands Initiative,
term permit renewals, off-highway
vehicles, mining updates, sage grouse,
fuels and emergency stabilization and
restoration issues related to healthy
lands initiative field tour to Robert’s
Mountain. BLM manager reports will be
given at each meeting. Final agendas
with any additions/corrections to
agenda topics, locations, field trips and
meeting times will be posted on the
BLM Web site at: https://www.blm.gov/
nv/st/en/res/resource_advisory/
northeastern_great.html, and sent to the
media at least 14 days before each
meeting. Individuals who need special
assistance such as sign language
interpretation or other reasonable
accommodations, or who wish to
receive a copy of each agenda, should
contact Stephanie Trujillo no later than
10 days prior to each meeting.
Dated: December 19, 2008.
John F. Ruhs,
Ely District Manager.
[FR Doc. E8–30769 Filed 12–24–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–HC–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
Notice of Intent to Repatriate Cultural
Items: Bishop Museum, Honolulu, HI
National Park Service, Interior.
Notice.
AGENCY:
dwashington3 on PROD1PC60 with NOTICES
ACTION:
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 in the
possession of the Bishop Museum,
Honolulu, HI, 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 cultural
items. The National Park Service is not
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responsible for the determinations in
this notice.
The 10 cultural items are 1 wooden
tobacco pipe, 1 stone vessel, 2 stone
marbles, 1 stone lamp, 1 clay necklace,
1 wooden poi board, 1 wooden pipe, 1
ceramic or glass bottle, and 1 stone
pounder. The cultural items were
removed from various sites on Oahu
Island, HI.
In 1918, a wooden tobacco pipe was
given to the Bishop Museum by H.E.
Cooper. The pipe was recorded as
having been found with human bones
on Cooper tract, Manoa, in 1898.
In 1923, a Kapuahi kuni anaana was
donated to the Bishop Museum by A.A.
Myer. The stone vessel was found in the
hand of a skeleton buried in the sand
during house construction in Waikiki
around 1910.
At an unknown date, two stone
marbles, possibly konane pieces, were
found near a skeleton on E.M. Ehrhorn’s
lot in Mill’S Tract, Manoa. In 1926, the
marbles were given to the Bishop
Museum by E.M. Ehrhorn.
In 1931, a stone lamp from Halawa
was given to the Bishop Museum by P.
Crackel. Accession records note that it
was located with a burial.
In 1959, a clay necklace was gifted to
the Bishop Museum by L. Kamuela. The
records state that the necklace was
found with a burial on the donor’s land
in Waianae Valley, Waianae, and that
the human remains were probably
Native Hawaiian or Native HawaiianChinese.
In 1931, a wooden poi board was
collected and donated to the Bishop
Museum by J.G. McAllister. The donor
wrote that it was found with skeletal
material in a burial cave on the Kahuku
side of Waimea River in Waimea.
In 1931, a wooden pipe found in a
cave in Niu was donated to the Bishop
Museum by J.G. McAllister. The
notation reads, ‘‘in burial cave with ‘the
famous one.’ ’’ No individual has been
identified.
In 1959, a ceramic or glass bottle was
donated to the Bishop Museum by Larry
Kamada, postmaster at the Waianae Post
Office. Mr. Kamada found the bottle in
a burial on his property in Waianae.
In 1964, a stone pounder was donated
to the Bishop Museum by Oswald
Sheather. The stone pounder was found
in a shallow burial while Mr. Sheather
was laying a gas main at King Street and
McCully in Honolulu.
Officials of the Bishop Museum have
determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C.
3001 (3)(B), the 10 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
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or ceremony and are believed, by a
preponderance of the evidence, to have
been removed from a specific burial site
of a Native Hawaiian individual.
Officials of the Bishop Museum also
have determined that, 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
Office of Hawaiian Affairs.
Representatives of any other Indian
tribe or Native Hawaiian organization
that believes itself to be culturally
affiliated with the unassociated funerary
objects should contact Betty Lou Kam,
Vice President, Cultural Resources,
Bishop Museum, 1525 Bernice Street,
Honolulu, HI 96817, telephone (808)
848–4105 before January 28, 2009.
Repatriation of the unassociated
funerary objects to the Office of
Hawaiian Affairs may proceed after that
date if no additional claimants come
forward.
The Bishop Museum is responsible
for notifying the Office of Hawaiian
Affairs that this notice has been
published.
Dated: December 8, 2008
Sherry Hutt,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. E8–30900 Filed 12–24–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312–50–S
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
Notice of Inventory Completion:
Muskegon County Museum,
Muskegon, MI
National Park Service, Interior.
Notice.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
Notice is here given in accordance
with the Native American Graves
Protection and Repatriation Act
(NAGPRA), 25 U.S.C. 3003, of the
completion of an inventory of human
remains in the possession of the
Muskegon County Museum, Muskegon,
MI. The human remains were removed
from Muskegon and Oceana Counties,
MI.
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 human remains. The National
Park Service is not responsible for the
determinations in this notice.
A detailed assessment of the human
remains was made by Muskegon County
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Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 249 / Monday, December 29, 2008 / Notices
Museum professional staff in
consultation with representatives of the
Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and
Chippewa Indians, Michigan; Little
River Band of Ottawa Indians,
Michigan; Little Traverse Bay Bands of
Odawa Indians, Michigan; and Saginaw
Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan.
At an unknown date, human remains
representing a minimum of one
individual were removed from an
unknown location in Muskegon County,
MI. In 1939, the human remains were
donated to the Muskegon County
Museum (Accession #697). No known
individual was identified. No associated
funerary objects are present.
At an unknown date, human remains
representing a minimum of one
individual were removed from an
unknown location in Muskegon County,
MI. In 1939, the human remains were
donated to the Muskegon County
Museum (Accession #699). No known
individual was identified. No associated
funerary objects are present.
At an unknown date, human remains
representing a minimum of one
individual were removed from an
unknown location in Muskegon County,
MI. In 1939, the human remains were
donated to the Muskegon County
Museum (Accession #766). No known
individual was identified. No associated
funerary objects are present.
In the 1930s, human remains
representing a minimum of one
individual were removed from the
McNeal Mound, Wolf Lake, Muskegon
County, MI. The human remains were
accessioned by the Muskegon County
Museum (Accession #1500). No known
individual was identified. No associated
funerary objects are present.
In 1942, human remains representing
a minimum of one individual were
removed from Vanderwall Mounds (also
known as Porter Mounds), Stoney Lake,
Oceana County, MI. The human remains
were accessioned by the Muskegon
County Museum (Accession #2602). No
known individual was identified. No
associated funerary objects are present.
In 1942, human remains representing
a minimum of one individual were
removed from Vanderwall Mounds (also
known as Porter Mounds), Stoney Lake,
Oceana County, MI. The human remains
were accessioned by the Muskegon
County Museum (Accession #2603). No
known individual was identified. No
associated funerary objects are present.
In 1942, human remains representing
a minimum of one individual were
removed from Vanderwall Mounds (also
known as Porter Mounds), Stoney Lake,
Oceana County, MI. The human remains
were accessioned by the Muskegon
County Museum (Accession #2604.a).
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No known individual was identified. No
associated funerary objects are present.
At an unknown date, human remains
representing a minimum of one
individual were removed from Duck
Lake Channel, Fruitland Township,
Muskegon County, MI, by Cub Scouts.
The human remains were accessioned
by the Muskegon County Museum
(Accession #2604.b). No known
individual was identified. No associated
funerary objects are present.
In 1942, human remains representing
a minimum of one individual were
removed from Vanderwall Mounds (also
known as Porter Mounds), Stoney Lake,
Oceana County, MI. The human remains
were accessioned by the Muskegon
County Museum (Accession #2605). No
known individual was identified. No
associated funerary objects are present.
The above described human remains
came into the possession of the
Muskegon County Museum through
private donations. The areas are within
known or suspected Native American
occupation. The Muskegon County
Museum has made the determination
that the human remains described above
are of Native American origin due to
their age and association with areas
evidencing a Native American presence.
The Muskegon area, which lies on the
western shore of Michigan and at the
mouth of the Muskegon River, has a
long established history of Native
American occupation that predates
European encroachment, in the early
17th century. The Anishnaabek, which
is comprised of the Odawa/Ottawa,
Ojibwe/Chippewa, and Potawatomi
have long called this area home. Oral
traditions for the Anishnaabek place
themselves in Michigan for incalculable
generations before contact with
Europeans.
Ancient trail systems, villages sites
and burial mounds have been found in
Muskegon County by one of the early
founders of Michigan Archeology,
Wilbert Hinsdale (‘‘Atlas of Michigan
Archeology,’’ Map 7), which officials of
the Muskegon County Museum
reasonably believe reinforces
Anishnaabek oral traditions of their
occupation of the western shore of
Michigan. Although Anishnaabek
occupation, particularly by the Odawa
in the Muskegon area, does not appear
in European record until the mid–1700s,
the lack of documentary evidence might
be explained as a consequence of the
Iroquois War (A.D.1640–1671), also
known as the Beaver Wars.
The French were the first Europeans
to make contact with the Great Lakes
Indians. The first written account of the
French encountering the Anishnaabek, a
group of Odawa warriors on the
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79505
Georgian Bay, occurred in 1615. Soon
after their initial meeting, the French
began a very prosperous fur trade with
the Odawa and neighboring Great Lakes
tribes. Around 1640, the Iroquois had
depleted the fur supply in their
traditional territories. This demand for
furs, coupled with longstanding tribal
hostilities, prompted the Iroquois to
wage war for furs in the Great Lakes
region. Iroquois aggression, in effect,
depopulated the Lower Peninsula of
Michigan from 1640–1670. Tribes who
did not flee from the advancing Iroquois
war parties were reportedly devastated.
Odawas living in the Lower Peninsula
did not wish to meet the same fate, and
large bands dispersed into the Upper
Peninsula, Wisconsin, and Western
Minnesota. After years of becoming
refugees in their own homeland, the
Anishnaabek banded together to run the
Iroquois out of Michigan. The decisive
battle was fought in 1662, at Iroqouis
Point, near Sault Ste. Marie (Tanner,
31).
When peace was reached with the
Iroquois in 1701, the Odawa and Ojibwe
slowly began to re-inhabit the Lower
Peninsula of Michigan, and although
war was a continual occurrence in
Michigan for the Anishnaabek from the
1600s until the conclusion of the War of
1812, only the Iroquois War displaced
the Odawa and Ojibwe from Michigan
and only for a brief time. The west coast
of Michigan was chosen for village sites
due to its availability to water, game,
fertile soil and fish (Feest and Feest,
774). From 1700 to 1740, groups of
Odawa and Ojibwe moved south,
choosing locations such as L’Abre
Croch, Grand Traverse, Manistee,
Muskegon, and the Grand River area
(McClurken 4). By 1768, these locations
had become well-established
Anishnaabek settlements, with most
villages being Odawa.
In sum, based on oral tradition and
historical information, the Anishnaabek
have occupied the Muskegon area for a
long time. Archeological evidence from
Wilbert Hinsdale and testimony about
burial ceremonies from Andrew
Blackbird (‘‘History of the Ottawa and
Chippewa Indians in Michigan,’’ 1887)
also comprise a reasonable basis for the
officials of the Muskegon County
Museum to determine that the human
remains from Muskegon are Native
American, and of Anishnaabek origin.
However, the officials of the Muskegon
County Museum cannot reasonably
determine a shared group relationship
with any present-day Indian Tribe.
Officials of the Muskegon County
Museum have determined that,
pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (9–10), the
human remains described above
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79506
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 249 / Monday, December 29, 2008 / Notices
represent the physical remains of nine
individuals of Native American
ancestry. Officials of the Muskegon
County Museum also have determined
that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (2), a
relationship of shared group identity
cannot be reasonably traced between the
Native American human remains and
any present-day Indian Tribe.
The Native American Graves
Protection and Repatriation Review
Committee (Review Committee) is
responsible for recommending specific
actions for disposition of culturally
unidentifiable human remains. In May
2008, the Muskegon County Museum
requested that the Review Committee
recommend disposition of nine
culturally unidentifiable human
remains to the Grand Traverse Band of
Ottawa and Chippewa Indians,
Michigan; Little River Band of Ottawa
Indians, Michigan; Little Traverse Bay
Bands of Odawa Indians, Michigan; and
Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of
Michigan, as the aboriginal occupants of
the lands encompassing the present-day
area of Muskegon and Oceana Counties,
MI.
The Review Committee considered
the proposal at its May 15–16, 2008
meeting and recommended disposition
of the human remains to the Grand
Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa
Indians, Michigan; Little River Band of
Ottawa Indians, Michigan; Little
Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians,
Michigan; and Saginaw Chippewa
Indian Tribe of Michigan, as the
aboriginal occupants. A June 6, 2008
letter on behalf of the Secretary of
Interior from the Designated Federal
Official transmitted the authorization
for the museum to effect disposition of
the culturally unidentifiable human
remains to the four Indian tribes listed
above contingent on the publication of
a Notice of Inventory Completion in the
Federal Register. This notice fulfills
that requirement.
Representatives of any other Indian
tribe that believes itself to be culturally
affiliated with the human remains
should contact John McGarry, Executive
Director, Muskegon County Museum,
430 W. Clay, Muskegon, MI 49440,
telephone (231) 722–0278, before
January 28, 2009 Disposition of the
human remains to the Grand Traverse
Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians,
Michigan; Little River Band of Ottawa
Indians, Michigan; Little Traverse Bay
Bands of Odawa Indians, Michigan; and
Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of
Michigan may proceed after that date if
no additional claimants come forward.
The Muskegon County Museum is
responsible for notifying the Grand
Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa
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Indians, Michigan; Little River Band of
Ottawa Indians, Michigan; Little
Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians,
Michigan; and Saginaw Chippewa
Indian Tribe of Michigan that this notice
has been published.
Dated: November 12, 2008
Sherry Hutt,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. E8–30899 Filed 12–24–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312–50–S
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
Notice of Inventory Completion:
Thomas Burke Memorial Washington
State Museum, University of
Washington, Seattle, WA
National Park Service, Interior.
Notice.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
Notice is here given in accordance
with the Native American Graves
Protection and Repatriation Act
(NAGPRA), 25 U.S.C. 3003, of the
completion of an inventory of human
remains in the control of the Thomas
Burke Memorial Washington State
Museum (Burke Museum), University of
Washington, Seattle, WA. The human
remains were removed from an
unknown area in Puget Sound, WA.
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 human remains. The National
Park Service is not responsible for the
determinations in this notice.
A detailed assessment of the human
remains was made by Burke Museum
and University of Washington
professional staff in consultation with
representatives of the following
Federally recognized tribes: the
Muckleshoot Indian Tribe of the
Muckleshoot Reservation, Washington;
Nisqually Indian Tribe of the Nisqually
Reservation, Washington; Puyallup
Tribe of the Puyallup Reservation,
Washington; Skokomish Indian Tribe of
the Skokomish Reservation,
Washington; Squaxin Island Tribe of the
Squaxin Island Reservation,
Washington; Suquamish Indian Tribe of
the Port Madison Reservation,
Washington; Swinomish Indians of the
Swinomish Reservation, Washington;
and Tulalip Tribes of the Tulalip
Reservation, Washington.
Sometime before 1913, human
remains representing a minimum of one
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individual were removed from Puget
Sound, WA, by University of
Washington Biology Professor Trevor
Kincaid. The human remains were
transferred to the Burke Museum in
1913 (Burke Accn. #993, Cat. #3495). No
known individual was identified. No
associated funerary objects are present.
Limited provenience information
about the human remains is available.
Professor Kincaid was a University of
Washington biology professor and
studied oyster farming throughout the
state. Professor Kincaid conducted field
work in such a large area, that the
provenience of the human remains
could not reasonably be identified more
specifically than Puget Sound. Salt
water barnacles were found on the
cranium and clearly demonstrate the
human remains were removed from a
salt water context.
The human remains are consistent
with Native American morphology.
Puget Sound is a broad geographic area,
and falls within the Southern
Lushootseed language group of Salish
cultures. Puget Sound is within the
usual and accustomed territory of the
Muckleshoot Indian Tribe of the
Muckleshoot Reservation, Washington;
Nisqually Indian Tribe of the Nisqually
Reservation, Washington; Puyallup
Tribe of the Puyallup Reservation,
Washington; Skokomish Indian Tribe of
the Skokomish Reservation,
Washington; Squaxin Island Tribe of the
Squaxin Island Reservation,
Washington; Suquamish Indian Tribe of
the Port Madison Reservation,
Washington; Swinomish Indians of the
Swinomish Reservation, Washington;
and Tulalip Tribes of the Tulalip
Reservation, Washington, as defined by
the 1855 Treaty of Medicine Creek, 1855
Point Elliot Treaty, and 1855 Treaty of
Point-No-Point. Other ethnographic and
legal documentation is consistent with
this determination.
Officials of the Burke Museum have
determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C.
3001 (9–10), the human remains
described above represent the physical
remains of one individual of Native
American ancestry. Officials of the
Burke Museum also have determined
that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (2),
there is a relationship of shared group
identity that can be reasonably traced
between the Native American human
remains and the Muckleshoot Indian
Tribe of the Muckleshoot Reservation,
Washington; Nisqually Indian Tribe of
the Nisqually Reservation, Washington;
Puyallup Tribe of the Puyallup
Reservation, Washington; Skokomish
Indian Tribe of the Skokomish
Reservation, Washington; Squaxin
Island Tribe of the Squaxin Island
E:\FR\FM\29DEN1.SGM
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 249 (Monday, December 29, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 79504-79506]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-30899]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
Notice of Inventory Completion: Muskegon County Museum, Muskegon,
MI
AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Notice is here given in accordance with the Native American Graves
Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), 25 U.S.C. 3003, of the
completion of an inventory of human remains in the possession of the
Muskegon County Museum, Muskegon, MI. The human remains were removed
from Muskegon and Oceana Counties, MI.
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 human remains. The National Park Service is not responsible
for the determinations in this notice.
A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by Muskegon
County
[[Page 79505]]
Museum professional staff in consultation with representatives of the
Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, Michigan; Little
River Band of Ottawa Indians, Michigan; Little Traverse Bay Bands of
Odawa Indians, Michigan; and Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan.
At an unknown date, human remains representing a minimum of one
individual were removed from an unknown location in Muskegon County,
MI. In 1939, the human remains were donated to the Muskegon County
Museum (Accession 697). No known individual was identified. No
associated funerary objects are present.
At an unknown date, human remains representing a minimum of one
individual were removed from an unknown location in Muskegon County,
MI. In 1939, the human remains were donated to the Muskegon County
Museum (Accession 699). No known individual was identified. No
associated funerary objects are present.
At an unknown date, human remains representing a minimum of one
individual were removed from an unknown location in Muskegon County,
MI. In 1939, the human remains were donated to the Muskegon County
Museum (Accession 766). No known individual was identified. No
associated funerary objects are present.
In the 1930s, human remains representing a minimum of one
individual were removed from the McNeal Mound, Wolf Lake, Muskegon
County, MI. The human remains were accessioned by the Muskegon County
Museum (Accession 1500). No known individual was identified.
No associated funerary objects are present.
In 1942, human remains representing a minimum of one individual
were removed from Vanderwall Mounds (also known as Porter Mounds),
Stoney Lake, Oceana County, MI. The human remains were accessioned by
the Muskegon County Museum (Accession 2602). No known
individual was identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
In 1942, human remains representing a minimum of one individual
were removed from Vanderwall Mounds (also known as Porter Mounds),
Stoney Lake, Oceana County, MI. The human remains were accessioned by
the Muskegon County Museum (Accession 2603). No known
individual was identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
In 1942, human remains representing a minimum of one individual
were removed from Vanderwall Mounds (also known as Porter Mounds),
Stoney Lake, Oceana County, MI. The human remains were accessioned by
the Muskegon County Museum (Accession 2604.a). No known
individual was identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
At an unknown date, human remains representing a minimum of one
individual were removed from Duck Lake Channel, Fruitland Township,
Muskegon County, MI, by Cub Scouts. The human remains were accessioned
by the Muskegon County Museum (Accession 2604.b). No known
individual was identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
In 1942, human remains representing a minimum of one individual
were removed from Vanderwall Mounds (also known as Porter Mounds),
Stoney Lake, Oceana County, MI. The human remains were accessioned by
the Muskegon County Museum (Accession 2605). No known
individual was identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
The above described human remains came into the possession of the
Muskegon County Museum through private donations. The areas are within
known or suspected Native American occupation. The Muskegon County
Museum has made the determination that the human remains described
above are of Native American origin due to their age and association
with areas evidencing a Native American presence.
The Muskegon area, which lies on the western shore of Michigan and
at the mouth of the Muskegon River, has a long established history of
Native American occupation that predates European encroachment, in the
early 17th century. The Anishnaabek, which is comprised of the Odawa/
Ottawa, Ojibwe/Chippewa, and Potawatomi have long called this area
home. Oral traditions for the Anishnaabek place themselves in Michigan
for incalculable generations before contact with Europeans.
Ancient trail systems, villages sites and burial mounds have been
found in Muskegon County by one of the early founders of Michigan
Archeology, Wilbert Hinsdale (``Atlas of Michigan Archeology,'' Map 7),
which officials of the Muskegon County Museum reasonably believe
reinforces Anishnaabek oral traditions of their occupation of the
western shore of Michigan. Although Anishnaabek occupation,
particularly by the Odawa in the Muskegon area, does not appear in
European record until the mid-1700s, the lack of documentary evidence
might be explained as a consequence of the Iroquois War (A.D.1640-
1671), also known as the Beaver Wars.
The French were the first Europeans to make contact with the Great
Lakes Indians. The first written account of the French encountering the
Anishnaabek, a group of Odawa warriors on the Georgian Bay, occurred in
1615. Soon after their initial meeting, the French began a very
prosperous fur trade with the Odawa and neighboring Great Lakes tribes.
Around 1640, the Iroquois had depleted the fur supply in their
traditional territories. This demand for furs, coupled with
longstanding tribal hostilities, prompted the Iroquois to wage war for
furs in the Great Lakes region. Iroquois aggression, in effect,
depopulated the Lower Peninsula of Michigan from 1640-1670. Tribes who
did not flee from the advancing Iroquois war parties were reportedly
devastated. Odawas living in the Lower Peninsula did not wish to meet
the same fate, and large bands dispersed into the Upper Peninsula,
Wisconsin, and Western Minnesota. After years of becoming refugees in
their own homeland, the Anishnaabek banded together to run the Iroquois
out of Michigan. The decisive battle was fought in 1662, at Iroqouis
Point, near Sault Ste. Marie (Tanner, 31).
When peace was reached with the Iroquois in 1701, the Odawa and
Ojibwe slowly began to re-inhabit the Lower Peninsula of Michigan, and
although war was a continual occurrence in Michigan for the Anishnaabek
from the 1600s until the conclusion of the War of 1812, only the
Iroquois War displaced the Odawa and Ojibwe from Michigan and only for
a brief time. The west coast of Michigan was chosen for village sites
due to its availability to water, game, fertile soil and fish (Feest
and Feest, 774). From 1700 to 1740, groups of Odawa and Ojibwe moved
south, choosing locations such as L'Abre Croch, Grand Traverse,
Manistee, Muskegon, and the Grand River area (McClurken 4). By 1768,
these locations had become well-established Anishnaabek settlements,
with most villages being Odawa.
In sum, based on oral tradition and historical information, the
Anishnaabek have occupied the Muskegon area for a long time.
Archeological evidence from Wilbert Hinsdale and testimony about burial
ceremonies from Andrew Blackbird (``History of the Ottawa and Chippewa
Indians in Michigan,'' 1887) also comprise a reasonable basis for the
officials of the Muskegon County Museum to determine that the human
remains from Muskegon are Native American, and of Anishnaabek origin.
However, the officials of the Muskegon County Museum cannot reasonably
determine a shared group relationship with any present-day Indian
Tribe.
Officials of the Muskegon County Museum have determined that,
pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (9-10), the human remains described above
[[Page 79506]]
represent the physical remains of nine individuals of Native American
ancestry. Officials of the Muskegon County Museum also have determined
that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (2), a relationship of shared group
identity cannot be reasonably traced between the Native American human
remains and any present-day Indian Tribe.
The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Review
Committee (Review Committee) is responsible for recommending specific
actions for disposition of culturally unidentifiable human remains. In
May 2008, the Muskegon County Museum requested that the Review
Committee recommend disposition of nine culturally unidentifiable human
remains to the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians,
Michigan; Little River Band of Ottawa Indians, Michigan; Little
Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, Michigan; and Saginaw Chippewa
Indian Tribe of Michigan, as the aboriginal occupants of the lands
encompassing the present-day area of Muskegon and Oceana Counties, MI.
The Review Committee considered the proposal at its May 15-16, 2008
meeting and recommended disposition of the human remains to the Grand
Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, Michigan; Little River
Band of Ottawa Indians, Michigan; Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa
Indians, Michigan; and Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan, as
the aboriginal occupants. A June 6, 2008 letter on behalf of the
Secretary of Interior from the Designated Federal Official transmitted
the authorization for the museum to effect disposition of the
culturally unidentifiable human remains to the four Indian tribes
listed above contingent on the publication of a Notice of Inventory
Completion in the Federal Register. This notice fulfills that
requirement.
Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to
be culturally affiliated with the human remains should contact John
McGarry, Executive Director, Muskegon County Museum, 430 W. Clay,
Muskegon, MI 49440, telephone (231) 722-0278, before January 28, 2009
Disposition of the human remains to the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa
and Chippewa Indians, Michigan; Little River Band of Ottawa Indians,
Michigan; Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, Michigan; and
Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan may proceed after that date
if no additional claimants come forward.
The Muskegon County Museum is responsible for notifying the Grand
Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, Michigan; Little River
Band of Ottawa Indians, Michigan; Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa
Indians, Michigan; and Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan that
this notice has been published.
Dated: November 12, 2008
Sherry Hutt,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. E8-30899 Filed 12-24-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-50-S
