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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 220 (Thursday, November 14, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 90043-90044]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-26455]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0039028; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]

Notice of Intended Repatriation: 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) 
intends to repatriate a certain cultural item that meets the definition 
of an unassociated funerary object and that has a cultural affiliation 
with the Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations in this notice.

DATES: Repatriation of the cultural item in this notice may occur on or 
after December 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 [email protected].

[[Page 90044]]

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 the 
WWU, and additional information on the determinations in this notice, 
including the results of consultation, can be found in the summary or 
related records. The National Park Service is not responsible for the 
determinations in this notice.

Abstract of Information Available

    A total of one cultural item has been requested for repatriation. 
The one object of cultural patrimony is a large sandstone abrader.
    On August 18, 1977, WWU Master's candidate Jerry Bailey was given 
permission to conduct a test excavation at registered archaeological 
site 45SJ84 located in Reid-Prevost Harbor State Park. Certain 
conditions were outlined by Jan T. Tveten, Assistant Director of 
Resources Development, Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission 
(WSPRC). Completion of a final report and shipment of artifactual 
materials to Fort Warden State Park were two of these conditions 
(Archaeological Test Excavations at Reid Harbor, Stuart Island, 
Washington, Published by The Department of Anthropology, WWU, Papers in 
Archaeology No. 9). This project was conducted as part of Jerry 
Bailey's M.A. thesis project, A Distributional Study of Three Late 
Prehistoric Culture Types in the Gulf of Georgia Region.
    No hazardous chemicals are known to have been used to treat the 
item while in the custody of WWU.

Determinations

    The WWU has determined that:
     The one object of cultural patrimony described in this 
notice has ongoing historical, traditional, or cultural importance 
central to the Native American group, including any constituent sub-
group (such as a band, clan, lineage, ceremonial society, or other 
subdivision), according to the Native American traditional knowledge of 
an Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization.
     There is a reasonable connection between the cultural item 
described in this notice and the Lummi Tribe of the Lummi Reservation; 
Samish Indian Nation; and the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community.

Requests for Repatriation

    Additional, written requests for repatriation of the cultural items 
in this notice must be sent to the authorized representative identified 
in this notice under ADDRESSES. Requests for repatriation may be 
submitted by 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 cultural items in this notice to a requestor 
may occur on or after December 16, 2024. If competing requests for 
repatriation are received, the WWU must determine the most appropriate 
requestor prior to repatriation. Requests for joint repatriation of the 
cultural items are considered a single request and not competing 
requests. The WWU is responsible for sending a copy of this notice to 
the Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations identified in this 
notice and to any other consulting parties.
    Authority: Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, 
25 U.S.C. 3004 and the implementing regulations, 43 CFR 10.9.

    Dated: November 5, 2024.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2024-26455 Filed 11-13-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-52-P
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