[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 111 (Thursday, June 8, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 36464]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-14489]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Inventory Completion for Native American Human Remains 
and Associated Funerary Objects from Clay County, SD in the Possession 
of the South Dakota State Archaeological Research Center, Rapid City, 
SD

AGENCY: National Park Service

ACTION: Notice

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    Notice is hereby given in accordance with provisions of the Native 
American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), 43 CFR 10.9, 
of the completion of an inventory of human remains and associated 
funerary objects from Clay County, SD in the possession of the South 
Dakota State Archaeological Research Center, Rapid City, SD. This 
notice is being published as part of the National Park Service's 
administrative responsibilities under NAGPRA, 43 CFR 10.2 (c). The 
determinations within this notice are the sole responsibility of the 
museum, institution, or Federal Agency who has control of these Native 
American human remains and associated funerary objects. The National 
Park Service is not responsible for the determinations within this 
notice.
    A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by South Dakota 
State Archaeological Research Center (SARC) professional staff in 
consultation with representatives of the Yankton Sioux Tribe of South 
Dakota and the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe of the Crow Creek Reservation, 
South Dakota.
    In 1926, human remains representing one individual were recovered 
from the Vermillion Bluff Village (39CL1), located on the left bank of 
the Vermillion River, Clay County, SD by workmen at the R.C. Davis 
residence. These human remains were donated to the W.H. Over Museum, 
Vermillion, SD. In 1974, these human remains were transferred to the 
SARC for documentation and repatriation. No known individual was 
identified. The 14 associated funerary objects include a circular-
shaped iron rod, an elk metapodial scraper, an elk antler scraper, 
three polished pipestone balls, a top-shaped piece of pipestone, three 
undrilled pipestone pipes, a used pipestone pipe, a steel knife with a 
horn handle, and two pieces of scoria.
    Based on associated funerary objects and manner of interment, this 
individual has been identified as Native American. The associated 
funerary objects and manner of interment also indicate this burial 
dates to the historic period (post-1800 A.D.). Based on continuities of 
material culture, oral tradition, and historical evidence, the cultural 
affiliation of the Historic-period component of the Vermillion Bluff 
Village site and the burial listed above have been affiliated with the 
Yankton Sioux Tribe of South Dakota. In 1859, the Yankton tribe was 
removed from this area in Clay County, SD to the Yankton Indian 
Reservation in South Dakota.
    Based on the above mentioned information, officials of the South 
Dakota Archaeological Research Center have determined that, pursuant to 
43 CFR 10.2 (d)(1), the human remains listed above represent the 
physical remains of one individual of Native American ancestry. 
Officials of the South Dakota Archaeological Research Center have also 
determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 (d)(2), the 14 objects listed 
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 the South Dakota 
Archaeological Research Center have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 
10.2 (e), there is a relationship of shared group identity which can be 
reasonably traced between these Native American human remains and 
associated funerary objects and the Yankton Sioux Tribe of South 
Dakota. This notice has been sent to officials of the Yankton Sioux 
Tribe of South Dakota and the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe of the Crow Creek 
Reservation, South Dakota. Representatives of any other Indian tribe 
that believes itself to be culturally affiliated with these human 
remains and associated funerary objects should contact Renee Boen, 
Curator, State Archaeological Center, South Dakota Historical Society, 
P.O. Box 1257, Rapid City, SD 57709-1257; telephone: (605) 394-1936, 
before July 10, 2000. Repatriation of the human remains and associated 
funerary objects to the Yankton Sioux Tribe of South Dakota may begin 
after that date if no additional claimants come forward.

    Dated: May 31, 2000.
John Robbins,
Assistant Director, Cultural Resources Stewardship and Partnership 
Programs.
[FR Doc. 00-14489 Filed 6-7-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-F