[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 144 (Monday, July 28, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 40372-40373]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-19788]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Inventory Completion for Native American Human Remains 
and Associated Funerary Objects from Shawnee County, KS in the 
Possession of the Kansas State Historical Society, Topeka, KS

AGENCY: National Park Service.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

    Notice is hereby given in accordance with provisions of the Native 
American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), 25 U.S.C. 
3003 (d), of the completion of an inventory of human remains and 
associated funerary objects from Shawnee County, KS in the possession 
of the Kansas State Historical Society, Topeka, KS.
    A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by Kansas State 
Historical Society (KSHS), Kansas State University, and Wichita State 
University professional staff in consultation with representatives of 
the Citizen Band of Potawatomi, the Prairie Band of Potawatomi Indians, 
and the Kaw Indian Tribe.
    In 1969, human remains representing two individuals were recovered 
from site 14SH322 during legally authorized excavations by KSHS for the 
proposed Grove Reservoir project. No known individuals were identified. 
The 31 associated funerary objects include ceramic sherds, glass beads, 
a copper bracelet, a fire steel, a projectile point, and a gunflint.
    Site 14SH322 has been identified as precontact Plains Woodland and 
historic Native American habitation site based on material culture. 
Based on the associated funerary objects and indications of wood 
coffins, these individuals have been determined to be Native American, 
and the burials date from approximately 1825-1870 A.D. This site is 
within the boundaries of the Potawatomi reservation of 1848-1861. 
Consultation with representatives of the Citizen Band of Potawatomi, 
the Prairie Band of Potawatomi Indians, and the Kaw Indian Tribe 
indicates these burials are likely to be affiliated with the Potawatomi 
rather than the Kaw Indian Tribe.
    In 1984 and 1992, human remains representing one individual were 
recovered from the surface of site 14SH334, a plowed field on the west 
edge of Rossville by KSHS archeologists. No known individual was 
identified. The associated funerary object is a copper or brass 
crucifix.
    Site 14SH334 may be associated with the farmstead of the Potawatomi 
families Laughton and Laughton-Nadeau dating from 1848 to 1868 based on 
historic records pertaining to the Potawatomi reservation located in 
Shawnee county during 1848-1861. Several other Potawatomi family 
farmsteads were also present in the area, known from both historical 
documents and confirmed through archeological evidence. The associated 
funerary object, dating from the mid-nineteenth century, is a likely 
indicator of Catholic religious affiliation, common for many 
Potawatomi. Based on the associated funerary object and likely age of 
the burial, this individual is believed to be Native American, and the 
historic records for this site indicate this individual was likely 
Potawatomi.
    In 1880, human remains representing three individuals were donated 
to the Kansas State Historical Society by Mr. Joel Lucas. No known 
individuals were identified. The three associated funerary objects 
include a decoratively carved

[[Page 40373]]

wood handle with a brass tack, one metal hoe blade, and an iron trowel.
    Donor information states Mr. Lucas obtained these human remains and 
associated funerary objects from ``Indian'' graves located eight miles 
northwest of Topeka. This area was within the Potawatomi reservation of 
1848-1861. Based on the apparent age and types of associated funerary 
objects, the human remains also date from this period.
    Based on the above mentioned information, officials of the Kansas 
State Historical Society have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2 
(d)(1), the human remains listed above represent the physical remains 
of six individuals of Native American ancestry. Officials of the Kansas 
State Historical Society have also determined that, pursuant to 25 
U.S.C. 3001 (3)(A), the 34 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 Kansas State Historical Society have determined that, 
pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (2), 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 Citizen Band of 
Potawatomi and the Prairie Band of Potawatomi Indians.
    This notice has been sent to officials of the Citizen Band of 
Potawatomi, the Prairie Band of Potawatomi Indians, and the Kaw Indian 
Tribe. Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself 
to be culturally affiliated with these human remains and associated 
funerary objects should contact Randy Thies, Archeologist, Kansas State 
Historical Society, 6425 SW Sixth, Topeka, KS 66606-1099; telephone: 
(913) 272-8681, ext. 267, before August 27, 1997. Repatriation of the 
human remains and associated funerary objects to the Citizen Band of 
Potawatomi and the Prairie Band of Potawatomi Indians may begin after 
that date if no additional claimants come forward.
Dated: July 21, 1997.
Francis P. McManamon,
Departmental Consulting Archeologist,
Manager, Archeology and Ethnography Program.
[FR Doc. 97-19788 Filed 7-25-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-F