Notice of Intended Repatriation: Western Washington University, Department of Anthropology, Bellingham, WA, 45920-45921 [2024-11449]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
• National Park Service

[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 102 (Friday, May 24, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45920-45921]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-11449]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0037978; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]


Notice of Intended Repatriation: Western Washington University, 
Department of Anthropology, Bellingham, WA

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and 
Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the Western Washington University (WWU) 
intends to repatriate certain cultural items that meet the definition 
of unassociated funerary objects and that have a cultural affiliation 
with the Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations in this notice.

DATES: Repatriation of the cultural items in this notice may occur on 
or after June 24, 2024.

ADDRESSES: Dr. Judith Pine, Western Washington University, Department 
of Anthropology, Arntzen Hall 340, 516 High Street, Bellingham, WA 
98225, telephone (360) 650-4783, email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice is published as part of the 
National Park Service's administrative responsibilities under NAGPRA. 
The determinations in this notice are the sole responsibility of the 
WWU, and additional information on the determinations in this notice, 
including the results of consultation, can be found in the summary or 
related records. The National Park Service is not responsible for the 
determinations in this notice.

Abstract of Information Available

    A total of nine cultural items have been requested for 
repatriation. The nine unassociated funerary objects are level bags 
(lots) containing non-human mammal, bird and fish bones from five 
different units. These are newly identified as unassociated funerary 
objects because of consultation with the Swinomish Indian Tribal 
Community in January of 2024. No hazardous chemicals are known to have 
been used to treat the unassociated funerary objects while in the 
custody of WWU.
    The site 45-SK-35 is located near the Skagit River, on the 
southwestern end of Pleasant Ridge, on an alluvial flat at the base of 
a hill. This site is part of the Swikwikwab complex. Western Washington 
State College conducted a field school excavation, led by Herbert C. 
Taylor, on July 2, 1960. Additional research identified the 45-SK-35 as 
a cemetery site and included in the National Register of Historic 
Places. In 1960, remains representing at minimum three individuals were 
removed from the Dunlap/Sedro Wooley [Woolley] Site (45-SK-35) during a 
University of Washington Field School. In 2023, human skeletal remains 
were found during excavations for a culvert (HR23-00055).
    The unassociated funerary objects have been determined to be Native 
American based on ethnographic, geographic, and archeological evidence. 
Comparison of the location of site 45-SK-35 with Suttles and Lane's map 
indicates that it is in an area associated with Nookachamps, Kikiallus, 
and Swinomish (Suttles and Lane 1990, Handbook of North American 
Indians, Volume 7, Northwest Coast: Figure 1). Many descendants of 
these cultural entities are today associated with the Swinomish Indian 
Tribal Community, as confirmed through consultation.

Determinations

    The WWU has determined that:
     The nine unassociated funerary objects described in this 
notice are reasonably believed to have been placed intentionally with 
or near human remains, and are connected, either at the time of death 
or later as part of the death rite or ceremony of a Native American 
culture according to the Native American traditional knowledge of a 
lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization. The 
unassociated funerary objects have been identified by a preponderance 
of the evidence as related to human remains, specific individuals, or 
families, or removed from a specific burial site or burial area of an 
individual or individuals with cultural affiliation to an Indian Tribe 
or Native Hawaiian organization.
     There is a reasonable connection between the human remains 
and associated funerary objects described in this notice and the 
Swinomish Indian Tribal Community.

Requests for Repatriation

    Additional, written requests for repatriation of the cultural items 
in this notice must be sent to the authorized representative identified 
in this notice under ADDRESSES. Requests for repatriation may be 
submitted by any lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian 
organization not identified in this notice who shows, by a 
preponderance of the evidence, that the requestor is a lineal 
descendant or a culturally affiliated Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian 
organization.
    Repatriation of the cultural items in this notice to a requestor 
may occur on or after June 24, 2024. If competing requests for 
repatriation are received, the WWU must determine the most appropriate 
requestor prior to repatriation. Requests for joint repatriation of the 
cultural items are considered a single request and not competing 
requests. The WWU is responsible for sending a copy of this notice to 
the Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations identified in this 
notice and to any other consulting parties.
    Authority: Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, 
25 U.S.C. 3004 and the implementing regulations, 43 CFR 10.9.


[[Page 45921]]


    Dated: May 15, 2024.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2024-11449 Filed 5-23-24; 8:45 am]
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