Notice2024-08047
Notice of Inventory Completion: Western Washington University, Department of Anthropology, Bellingham, WA
Primary source
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Published
April 16, 2024
Issuing agencies
Interior DepartmentNational Park Service
Abstract
In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the Western Washington University (WWU) has completed an inventory of associated funerary objects and has determined that there is a cultural affiliation between the associated funerary objects and Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations in this notice.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 74 (Tuesday, April 16, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 74 (Tuesday, April 16, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Page 26908]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-08047]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0037760; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]
Notice of Inventory Completion: 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) has
completed an inventory of associated funerary objects and has
determined that there is a cultural affiliation between the associated
funerary objects and Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations in
this notice.
DATES: Repatriation of the associated funerary objects in this notice
may occur on or after May 16, 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 <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#16667f78737c5661616338737263"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f98990979c93b98e8e8cd79c9d8c">[email protected]</span></a>.
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 WWU,
and additional information on the determinations in this notice,
including the results of consultation, can be found in the inventory or
related records. The National Park Service is not responsible for the
determinations in this notice.
Abstract of Information Available
Human remains representing, at least, four individuals have been
reasonably identified and were reported in a Notice of Inventory
Completion published in the Federal Register on December 22, 2023 (88
FR 88642). The 63 associated funerary objects associated with those
human remains are 63 level bags (lots) containing fragments of fauna/
shell, button, charcoal, worked antler and bone, worked slate, metal,
rocks and residue and are newly identified.
45-SK-37 is located in Skagit County, Washington. The site was
excavated in 1960 by Dr. Herbert Taylor of Western Washington State
College, now known as Western Washington University. Taylor was
supervising a field school excavation with students from the college.
No known individuals were identified. No hazardous chemicals are known
to have been used to treat the human remains or associated funerary
objects while in the custody of WWU.
The human remains and associated funerary objects have been
determined to be Native American based on ethnographic, geographic, and
archeological evidence. Comparison of the location of site 45-SK-37
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.
From Site 45- SK-37 in Skagit County, WA, four individuals and 63
associated funerary objects were removed.
Cultural Affiliation
Based on the information available and the results of consultation,
cultural affiliation is clearly identified by the information available
about the associated funerary objects described in this notice.
Determinations
WWU has determined that:
<bullet> The 63 objects described in this notice are reasonably
believed to have been placed intentionally with or near individual
human remains at the time of death or later as part of the death rite
or ceremony.
<bullet> 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
Written requests for repatriation of the associated funerary
objects in this notice must be sent to the authorized representative
identified in this notice under ADDRESSES. Requests for repatriation
may be submitted by:
1. Any one or more of the Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian
organizations identified in this notice.
2. 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 associated funerary objects in this notice to a
requestor may occur on or after May 16, 2024. If competing requests for
repatriation are received, WWU must determine the most appropriate
requestor prior to repatriation. Requests for joint repatriation of the
associated funerary objects are considered a single request and not
competing requests. WWU is responsible for sending a copy of this
notice to the Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations
identified in this notice.
Authority: Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act,
25 U.S.C. 3003, and the implementing regulations, 43 CFR 10.10.
Dated: April 9, 2024.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2024-08047 Filed 4-15-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-52-P
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