[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 225 (Tuesday, November 21, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69962-69963]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-29809]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Inventory Completion for Native American Human Remains 
and Associated Funerary Objects in the Possession of Rochester Museum 
and Science Center, Rochester, NY

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

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 in the possession of the Rochester Museum and Science 
Center, Rochester, NY.
    This notice is 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 that 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 Rochester 
Museum and Science Center professional staff in consultation with 
representatives of the Cayuga Nation of New York, the Oneida Nation of 
New York, the Oneida Tribe of Wisconsin, the Onondaga Nation of New 
York, the Seneca Nation of New York, the Seneca-Cayuga Tribe of 
Oklahoma, the St. Regis Band of Mohawk Indians of New York, the 
Stockbridge-Munsee Community of Mohican Indians of Wisconsin, the 
Tonawanda Band of Seneca Indians of New York, and the Tuscarora Nation 
of New York.
    In 1960, partial human remains representing 43 individuals were 
recovered from the Sand Hill site (Cnj 009) in Minden, Montgomery 
County, NY, by Peter Pratt and other unnamed individuals. Gilbert 
Hagerty donated the remains to the Rochester Museum and Science Center 
in 1979. No known individuals were identified. No associated funerary 
objects are present.
    Based on skeletal morphology, these individuals have been 
identified as Native American. Based on site location and the condition 
of the human remains, the Sand Hill site has been identified as a 
Mohawk occupation, dating to circa A.D. 1635-1645.
    Based on the above-mentioned information, officials of the 
Rochester Museum and Science Center have determined that, pursuant to 
43 CFR 10.2(d)(1), the human remains listed above represent the 
physical remains of 43 individuals of Native American ancestry. 
Officials of the Rochester Museum and Science Center also have 
determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2(e), there is a relationship of 
shared group identity that can be reasonably traced between these 
Native American human remains and the St. Regis Band of Mohawk Indians 
of New York.
    This notice has been sent to officials of the Cayuga Nation of New 
York, the Oneida Nation of New York, the Oneida Tribe of Wisconsin, the 
Onondaga Nation of New York, the Seneca Nation of New York, the Seneca-
Cayuga Tribe of Oklahoma, the St. Regis Band of Mohawk Indians of New 
York, the Stockbridge-Munsee Community of

[[Page 69963]]

Mohican Indians of Wisconsin, the Tonawanda Band of Seneca Indians of 
New York, and the Tuscarora Nation of New York. Representatives of any 
other Indian tribe that believes itself to be culturally affiliated 
with these human remains and associated funerary objects should contact 
Connie Bodner, NAGPRA Liaison, Rochester Museum and Science Center, 657 
East Avenue, Rochester, NY 14607-2177, telephone (716) 271-4552, 
extension 345, before December 21, 2000. Repatriation of the human 
remains to the St. Regis Band of Mohawk Indians of New York may begin 
after that date if no additional claimants come forward.

    Dated: November 14, 2000.
John Robbins,
Assistant Director, Cultural Resources Stewardship and Partnerships.
[FR Doc. 00-29809 Filed 11-20-00; 8:45 am]
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