FR Doc 2010-27916[Federal Register: November 4, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 213)]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
Notice of Inventory Completion: Western Michigan University,
Anthropology Department, Kalamazoo, MI
AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.
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 and associated funerary
objects in the possession of Western Michigan University, Anthropology
Department, Kalamazoo, MI. The human remains and associated funerary
objects were removed from Mackinac County, 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 and associated funerary objects. The National
Park Service is not responsible for the determinations in this notice.
A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by Western
Michigan University professional staff in consultation with
representatives of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians,
Michigan, and the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians of
In 1973, human remains representing a minimum of eight individuals
were removed from the Gyftakis site (20MK51), St. Ignace, Moran
Township, Mackinac County, MI, during an archeological excavation
directed by Dr. James Fitting. The human remains were transferred to
Western Michigan University for curation and further analysis. The 20
associated funerary objects are 8 black bear scapula and fragments, 1
black bear atlas, 1 black bear proximal femur head, 1 large bird long
bone shaft, 1 possible black bear phalanx, 1 possible crane
carpometacarpus, 1 raptor carpometacarpus, 1 possible small bird long
bone, 1 unidentified non-human cranium fragment, 2 bird or small mammal
long bones and 2 probable bird phalanxes.
In 1972, Middle Woodland period ceramic sherds were found during
test excavations for the St. Ignace Archaeological Survey Project,
which prompted the archeological survey. The burials were found to be
in good condition. Dr. Robert Sundick, a physical anthropologist in the
Anthropology Department at Western Michigan University, studied the
remains. Native American ancestry was determined based on the temporal
association of the Gyftakis Site to the Middle Woodland period (A.D.
170), radiocarbon dating of a sample from an associated hearth and AMS
date of ceramic pot residue. Additionally, seriation of the pottery and
lithic tools discovered at the Gyftakis Site, but which are not
associated funerary objects, are indicative of the Middle Woodland
period and are clearly of pre-Contact/European manufacturing.
According to oral tradition, the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa
Indians have occupied the St. Ignace area for numerous generations
preceding European arrival into the Great Lakes. The archeological
evidence of pre-historic Native American occupation of the Gyftakis
site supports the Odawa oral histories. In 1615, the French were the
first Europeans to record the Odawa in the Great Lakes. Since this
first encounter in the early 17th century to the present-day, the Odawa
have a long, documented history at St. Ignace and the surrounding
Officials of Western Michigan University have determined, pursuant
to 25 U.S.C. 3001(9), the human remains described above represent the
physical remains of eight individuals of Native American ancestry.
Officials of Western Michigan University also have determined, pursuant
to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(A), the 20 objects 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.
Lastly, officials of Western Michigan University have determined,
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 associated funerary objects and the Little Traverse
Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, Michigan.
Representatives of any other Indian Tribe that believes itself to
be culturally affiliated with the human remains and associated funerary
objects should contact LouAnn Wurst, Department of Anthropology,
Western Michigan University, 1005 Moore Hall, Kalamazoo, MI 49008,
telephone (269) 387-2753, before December 6, 2010. Repatriation of the
human remains and associated funerary objects to the Little Traverse
Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, Michigan, may proceed after that date if no
additional claimants come forward.
Western Michigan University is responsible for notifying the Little
Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, Michigan, and the Sault Ste. Marie
Tribe of Chippewa Indians of Michigan, that this notice has been
Dated: October 29, 2010.
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2010-27916 Filed 11-3-10; 8:45 am]
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