[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 23 (Wednesday, February 4, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6104-6108]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-02264]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-17375; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]


Notice of Inventory Completion: Grand Valley State University, 
Allendale, MI

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Grand Valley State University has completed an inventory of 
human remains and associated funerary objects in consultation with the 
appropriate Indian tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations, and has 
determined that there is no cultural affiliation between the human 
remains and associated funerary objects and any present-day Indian 
tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations. Representatives of any Indian 
tribe or Native Hawaiian organization not identified in this notice 
that wish to request transfer of control of these human remains and 
associated funerary objects should submit a written request to Grand 
Valley State University. If no additional requestors come forward, 
transfer of control of the human remains and associated funerary 
objects to the Indian tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations stated in 
this notice may proceed.

DATES: Representatives of any Indian tribe or Native Hawaiian 
organization not identified in this notice that wish to request 
transfer of control of these human remains and associated funerary 
objects should submit a written request with information in support of 
the request to Grand Valley State University at the address in this 
notice by March 6, 2015.

ADDRESSES: Dr. Janet G. Brashler, Professor and Curator of 
Anthropology, Department of Anthropology, Grand Valley State 
University, 1 Campus Drive, Allendale, MI 49401, telephone (616) 331-
3694, email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#04667665776c68616e44637277712a616071"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="7b19091a0813171e113b1c0d080e551e1f0e">[email protected]</span></a>.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 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 under the control of Grand Valley State 
University. The human remains were removed from Allegan, Kent, Mecosta, 
Missaukee, Newago, and Ottawa counties and two unknown locations in MI.
    This notice is published as part of the National Park Service's 
administrative responsibilities under NAGPRA, 25 U.S.C. 3003(d)(3) and 
43 CFR 10.11(d). 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.

Consultation

    A detailed assessment of the human remains and associated funerary 
objects was made by the Grand Valley State University's professional 
staff in consultation with representatives of the Hannahville Indian 
Community, Michigan; Little River Band of Ottawa Indians, Michigan; 
Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, Michigan; Match-e-be-nash-
she-wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians of Michigan; and the Nottawaseppi 
Huron Band of the Potawatomi, Michigan (previously listed as the Huron 
Potawatomi, Inc.). Additional requests for consultation were sent to 
the Absentee-Shawnee Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma; Bad River Band of 
the Lake Superior Tribe of Chippewa Indians of the Bad River 
Reservation, Wisconsin; Bay Mills Indian Community, Michigan; Bois 
Forte Band (Nett Lake) of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe, Minnesota; 
Chippewa-Cree Indians of the Rocky Boy's Reservation, Montana; Citizen 
Potawatomi Nation, Oklahoma; Delaware Nation, Oklahoma; Delaware Tribe 
of Indians; Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma; Fond du Lac Band of the 
Minnesota Chippewa Tribe, Minnesota; Forest County Potawatomi 
Community, Wisconsin; Grand Portage Band of the Minnesota Chippewa 
Tribe, Minnesota; Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, 
Michigan; Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, Michigan; Kickapoo Traditional 
Tribe of Texas; Kickapoo Tribe of Indians of the Kickapoo Reservation 
in Kansas; Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma; Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake 
Superior Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin; Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake 
Superior Chippewa Indians of the Lac du Flambeau Reservation of 
Wisconsin; Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians of 
Michigan; Leech Lake Band of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe, Minnesota; 
Miami Tribe of Oklahoma; Mille Lacs Band of the Minnesota Chippewa 
Tribe, Minnesota; Ottawa Tribe of Oklahoma; Peoria Tribe of Indians of 
Oklahoma; Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians, Michigan and Indiana; 
Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation (previously listed as the Prairie Band 
of Potawatomi Nation, Kansas); Quechan Tribe of the Fort Yuma Indian 
Reservation, California & Arizona; Red

[[Page 6105]]

Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin; Red Lake 
Band of Chippewa Indians, Minnesota; Sac & Fox Nation of Missouri in 
Kansas and Nebraska; Sac & Fox Nation, Oklahoma; Sac & Fox Tribe of the 
Mississippi in Iowa; Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan; Sault 
Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, Michigan; Seneca Nation of 
Indians (previously listed as the Seneca Nation of New York); Seneca-
Cayuga Tribe of Oklahoma; Shawnee Tribe; Sokaogon Chippewa Community, 
Wisconsin; St. Croix Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin; Tonawanda Band of 
Seneca (previously listed as the Tonawanda Band of Seneca Indians of 
New York); Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians of North Dakota; 
White Earth Band of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe, Minnesota; and the 
Wyandotte Nation. Hereafter, all tribes listed in this section are 
referred to as ``The Tribes.''

History and Description of the Remains

    At an unknown date prior to 1978, human remains representing, at 
minimum, four individuals were removed from the Akershock/Smith Mounds 
(20NE118) in Newaygo County, MI. It is not known how the remains came 
to be in the Grand Valley State University Anthropology Lab (GVSUAL) 
collections; however, several sites in Newaygo County were excavated 
before 1970 by avocational archeologists and donated to Grand Valley 
State University (GVSU). The four individuals include an adult, 
probably female, an infant of undetermined age, a juvenile of 
undetermined age, and a sub adult. No known individuals were 
identified. The remains likely date to the Late Woodland (A.D. 900-
1400) based on diagnostic objects. The 144 associated funerary objects 
are from mound fill and include 65 flint chips, two rocks, two soils 
samples, three soil and red ocher samples, one piece charred material, 
54 body sherds, two rim sherds, one piece of slate, 11 animal bones, 
two cores, and one possible pipe fragment.
    In 1968, human remains representing, at minimum, three individuals 
were removed from the Hammon Mounds (20NE216) in Newaygo County, MI. 
The site, consisting of at least two mounds, was excavated by 
avocational archeologists prior to their demolition. The remains were 
donated to GVSU in 1981. The three individuals include two adults (one 
probably male, the other of unknown sex) and one juvenile. No known 
individuals were identified. The remains likely date to the Middle to 
Late Woodland (100 B.C. to A.D. 1400) based on associated diagnostic 
objects. The 16 associated funerary objects include 2 copper awls with 
bone or wood handle fragments, 12 ceramic body sherds, and 2 animal 
bone fragments.
    In May 1977, human remains representing, at minimum, one individual 
were removed by campers from the ``Houghton Lake Site'' also known as 
the ``M-55 burial'' (20MA28) in Missaukee County, MI, and brought to 
GVSU for review by Richard Flanders. In September 1977, GVSU 
anthropology personnel conducted a salvage excavation of the original 
burial pit. All of the remains and associated artifacts were donated to 
GVSUAL. The individual is an adult male, probably 25-30 years of age, 
with evidence of extreme physical activity in left femur and possible 
trauma to skull. No known individuals were identified. The remains date 
to the historic fur trade era (A.D. 1700-1850, likely toward the 
earlier part of the time period) based on the associated funerary 
objects. The 1,278 associated funerary objects include 1,266 glass 
beads (29 quahog purple white shell beads, 889 semi translucent dark 
blue tubular glass beads, 59 light blue tubular glass beads, 21 milky 
white tubular glass beads, and 268 black seed beads); one brass or 
copper trade kettle; two knives, tang and blade fragments, with a 
wooden handle and a bone handle; two circular silver broaches; one 
fragment of a silver tinkling cone; one strike-a-light; one iron ax; 
one tubular sandstone pipe (possibly prehistoric); two conical cup 
shaped bone artifacts with carved sides; and one hollow bird bone 
wrapped with sinew.
    In October 1975, human remains representing, at minimum, 14 
individuals, were discovered by Eugene Knobloch while plowing his farm 
in Allegan County, MI. Knobloch contacted Dr. Richard Flanders at GVSU 
(then Grand Valley State Colleges), and between 1976 and 1978, GVSU 
conducted field excavations at the site, known as the Knobloch site 
(20AE633) under the direction of Dr. Richard Flanders. The landowner 
donated the collection to GVSU where most of the remains were curated 
as a site number. Field notes and preliminary analysis suggested the 
presence of 23 uncremated individuals and possibly 8 cremated 
individuals. A re-examination of the remains in 2011 indicate that 
human remains include uncremated remains of six adults (one adult male, 
two adult females and three adults of indeterminate sex); four 
juveniles of indeterminate sex; and four infants, one of which is 
possibly a late term fetus. No known individuals were identified. The 
site also included an ossuary with 32,384 fragments of bone that could 
not be used to calculate an accurate MNI. Two radio carbon dates 
(uncalibrated A.D. 1440<plus-minus>90 and A.D. 1140<plus-minus>90) 
indicate a Late Woodland age for the site. Nearby artifacts include 
ceramic and lithic diagnostics, which date to the Late Woodland. No 
associated funerary objects are present.
    Between September 1994 and September 1995, human remains 
representing, at minimum, six individuals (at least one adult male, two 
adult females and three indeterminant adults) were discovered by John 
Koster while dredging for black dirt and gravel. Initial analysis of 
the remains in 1995 by Dr. Robert Sundick of Western Michigan 
University confirmed that the remains were Native American. Subsequent 
analysis indicated that four of the five individuals suffered from 
osteoarthritis and significantly worn dentition. No known individuals 
were identified. No age determination was possible given disturbed 
context, however, it is possible that these remains are middle Holocene 
in age (circa 5500 B.P.) based on their possible geological context in 
a peat/marl deposit. No associated funerary objects were present, 
though a single Archaic period projectile point was recovered from the 
surface approximately 50 m from the disturbed remains.
    On an unknown date between 1964 and 1990, human remains 
representing, at minimum, one individual were recovered from an unknown 
location in Kent County, MI, most likely in the vicinity of Lowell, MI. 
The remains are from an adult male in good health. There are no notes 
in the GVSUAL files related to the discovery, excavation, or donation 
of the remains to the lab. No date or time period for the remains could 
be established. No known individuals were identified. No associated 
funerary objects are present.
    In 1978, human remains representing, at minimum, one adult 
individual were recovered from a load of dirt and gravel deposited on a 
road near Paris in Mecosta County, MI. The remains, a portion of a 
skull of one adult male, were recovered by the Mecosta County Sherriff, 
and the source of the gravel traced to a local gravel pit which was 
searched for additional remains. None were found. The skull was sent to 
the Michigan State Police Lab for identification and was donated to the 
GVSUAL at an unknown date. No date or time period for the remains could 
be established. No known individuals were identified. No associated 
funerary objects are present.
    In 1964, human remains representing, at minimum, two individuals 
were removed from the basement excavation

[[Page 6106]]

of the Myers Lake site (20KT185) in Kent County, MI. The local police 
and W.D. Frankforter of the Public Museum of Grand Rapids were 
notified. Frankforter visited the site and recovered additional 
remains, and subsequently the landowner found additional remains, which 
he turned over to the Public Museum of Grand Rapids. Sometime between 
1964 and 1989, the remains of one adult male and one adult of 
undetermined sex were donated by the Museum to the GVSUAL. The remains 
probably date to the Late Woodland time period (A.D. 500-1400) based on 
diagnostic ceramics found with the remains. No known individuals were 
identified. The one associated funerary object is a partially 
reconstructed ceramic vessel.
    Between 1963 and 1964, human remains representing, at minimum, one 
individual were recovered from Norton Mounds (20KT1) in Kent County, 
MI. The remains of a single infant, 10-18 months in age, were most 
likely recovered during excavations by the University of Michigan at 
Norton Mounds. The majority of the remains from Norton Mounds were 
housed at the Public Museum of Grand Rapids, with the exception of this 
single individual, which was donated to the GVSUAL at some time between 
1964 and 1989. There is no record of donation, however W.D. 
Frankforter, Director of the Public Museum, and Richard Flanders of 
GVSU worked collaboratively on a number of projects. Norton Mounds is a 
Middle Woodland burial location dating to between 100 B.C. and A.D. 200 
based on radiocarbon dates, diagnostic ceramics, and lithics. No known 
individuals were identified. No associated funerary objects are 
present.
    In June 1969, human remains representing, at minimum, 11 
individuals were excavated at the Paggeot Site (20OT89) in Ottawa 
County, MI. Children discovered remains eroding into the Grand River 
and other remains were discovered in the process of construction of a 
sewer pipe. The largely disturbed remains of eight adults (at least two 
males, one possible female, one possible male 21-45 years old, and four 
individuals of undetermined sex); one sub-adult; and two infants (one 
6-18 months and one 16-32 months) were excavated under the direction of 
W. D. Frankforter of the Public Museum of Grand Rapids. All of the 
human remains and a portion of the associated funerary objects were 
donated to the GVSUAL between 1970 and 1989. In 1987, the current 
landowner donated additional remains recovered from the site. There 
were no notes in the GVSUAL collection documenting burial position or 
specific artifact associations. Associated diagnostic artifacts suggest 
that the remains date to the later Middle Woodland period between A.D. 
100 and 300. No known individuals were identified. The 26 associated 
funerary objects are two split and pointed deer metapodial pins, one 
deer antler tine, one deer long bone section, one lot of fragments of a 
single turtle carapace, 20 freshwater pearl beads, and one Busycon 
contrarium shell dipper.
    In late May 1977, human remains representing, at minimum, 6 
individuals were removed from the Rice Lake site (20NE219) in Newaygo 
County, MI. The disturbed remains were exposed on the surface of a sand 
pit. Staff from Grand Valley State University under the direction of 
Richard Flanders collected the remains of five adults (one male 25-35, 
one older adult male, and three individuals of undetermined sex) and 
one sub adult individual approximately 15 years of age. One of the 
individuals shows unusual modification to the calvarium. Documents in 
the collections at GVSUAL suggest that the grooves are possibly 
consistent with bear mauling, though evidence was not conclusive. The 
position of burials was not clear because they were eroded, but the 
possibility of their being bundle burials is suggested in notes on 
file. The date and/or time period for these remains is unclear. Shovel 
tests in the vicinity of the remains indicated presence of Late 
Woodland (A.D. 500-1400) ceramics and lithics, but these are not 
directly associated with the remains and are not funerary objects. 
Further, a horse pelvis was recovered in the same context suggesting 
the possibility that the remains could be historic; however, no other 
historic materials were recovered from the area. No known individuals 
were identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
    In 1929, 1956, or on April 29, 1958, human remains representing, at 
minimum, 10 individuals were removed from Saugatuck City Hall in 
Allegan County, MI. Remains from the site (20AE01) were documented 
originally in 1937 by George Quimby, then at the University of 
Michigan. In 1956, remains were recovered by the Grand Rapids Public 
Museum. In 1958, additional remains were recovered during excavation of 
a sewer trench a few meters south of the city hall. Notes on file at 
GVSUAL suggest that avocational archeologist members of the Wright L. 
Coffinberry Chapter of the Michigan Archaeological Society were 
involved in identification of the 1958 remains. In 1958, some or all of 
the remains were reported to be located in the Saugatuck City Hall. One 
report suggests these were later buried in an unknown cemetery in 
Saugatuck. Sometime between 1964 and 1989, human remains from one of 
these excavations were donated to the GVSUAL, however, there is no 
record of donation. The GVSUAL remains include an infant, four sub-
adults, four middle aged (two male, two female) individuals, and one 
adult individual of indeterminate age. A small number of cremation 
remains were recovered for which no MNI was calculated. One of the sub-
adult crania shows cut marks on frontal bone and parietal bone and in 
short strikes circumferentially around the skull consistent with marks 
of a scalping. Examination of the cut marks suggests the scalping was 
conducted peri-mortem. In addition one scapula indicates an anterior 
dislocation. Two femur (a right and a left) display round holes drilled 
post mortem. One report by Emmerson Greenman, who visited the site in 
1956, suggested that the remains were Hopewell based on a flint blade 
recovered from ``inside of the body.'' Reports in GVSUAL and University 
of Michigan (UMMA) files, suggest that some of the Saugatuck remains 
date to the late fur trade era, most likely during the American Period 
between A.D. 1791 and 1850 approximately. Oral history suggests the 
location was a cemetery for the Potawatomi and by this time, the 
Potawatomi historically occupied the area of Michigan south of the 
Grand River where Saugatuck is located. No known individuals were 
identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
    In 1967, human remains representing, at minimum, 22 individuals 
were removed from the Schooley A Mound (20NE218) in Newaygo County, MI. 
The site was excavated by members of the Newaygo Chapter of the 
Michigan Archaeological Society with assistance by Richard Flanders of 
GVSU. The human remains include 16 adults (three possible males, three 
males 35-50 years in age, one possible female, and nine individuals of 
indeterminate sex); four sub adults (two 15 year olds and two of 
indeterminate age); one infant; and one pre-natal infant that were 
donated to GVSUAL sometime after 1967 and before 1981. Burials occured 
at four places in the mound, with one relatively intact burial in a 
flexed position, and three areas where multiple individuals were 
interred including one area where cremains were deposited suggesting 
multiple internment episodes. The Late Woodland (A.D. 500-1200) date 
and time period for the remains is based on projectile points and five 
diagnostic

[[Page 6107]]

right angle clay elbow pipes included in the mound. No known 
individuals were identified. No associated funerary objects are 
present.
    In June 1967, human remains representing, at minimum, five 
individuals were removed from the Schrader Mound (20NE217) in Newaygo 
County, MI. The site was excavated by members of the Newaygo Chapter of 
the Michigan Archaeological Society. The human remains include 5 adults 
(one probable male 27-44 and four adults of undetermined sex). At least 
two individuals were cremated and three individuals were not cremated. 
The human remains were donated to GVSU sometime after 1967 and before 
1989. Artifacts from the site were retained by private individuals. The 
site dates to the Woodland Period (100 B.C. to A.D. 1400) based on 
notes in the GVSUAL files. Given the shape and size of the mound, it is 
likely that the remains date to the Late Woodland (A.D. 500-1400). No 
known individuals were identified. No associated funerary objects are 
present.
    On October 12, 1972, human remains representing, at minimum, one 
individual were removed from the G. Sharphorn property in Ottawa 
County, MI. The remains of one 15 year old, probable female, were 
identified by workmen during construction and were removed by staff 
from GVSU under the supervision of Richard Flanders in consultation 
with the Ottawa County Sherriff. The relatively complete burial was 
donated to GVSU. No date or time period could be established. No known 
individuals were identified. No associated funerary objects are 
present.
    Between 1966 and 1969, human remains representing, at minimum, four 
individuals, were removed from the Spoonville site (20OT1), in Ottawa 
County, MI. The site was previously excavated in 1962 by Richard 
Flanders, then of UMMA (collections and funerary objects from this 
excavation were curated at UMMA). The human remains in the GVSUAL 
include one adult male, two adults of unidentified sex, and one sub-
adult which were recovered by Flanders (who was by 1964 at GVSU). At 
this time, one of the mounds was being leveled for construction of a 
residence. The landowner donated the human remains to GVSU and kept 
associated funerary objects. The burials were recovered from a 
Hopewellian Middle Woodland period mound dating between A.D. 1 and A.D. 
400. No known individuals were identified. No known associated funerary 
objects are in the GVSUAL collection.
    On an unknown date, human remains representing, at minimum, four 
individuals were removed from the Virginianus site at an unknown 
location presumably in Michigan. Three individuals are adult of 
undetermined sex and one individual is a juvenile. There are no records 
in the GVSUAL archeological site files or any other state site files. 
There is no record of donation. No date or time period for the human 
remains could be established. No known individuals were identified. No 
associated funerary objects are present.
    On an unknown date, human remains representing, at minimum, two 
individuals were removed from an unknown site, presumably in Michigan. 
Two adult individuals are represented, one possible male and one 
probable male. Possible cut marks are present on the left side of one 
mandible. No records are available for these remains. No date or time 
period for the human remains could be established. No known individuals 
were identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
    In March 1997, human remains representing, at minimum, three 
individuals were removed from the Emshwiller property in Ottawa County, 
MI. The remains of three adults (one of which is possibly male, the 
other two of undetermined sex) were collected by Detective James Brack 
of the Ottawa County Sherriff Department upon being discovered during 
excavation of a basement. Detective Brack subsequently delivered the 
remains to the GVSUAL. No date or time period for the human remains 
could be established. No known individuals were identified. No 
associated funerary objects are present.
    In October 1999 and in March 2000, human remains representing, at 
minimum, four individuals were removed from the Vanderstel property 
(20OT296) in Ottawa County MI. The remains were discovered by a heavy 
equipment operator who was digging a foundation for a residence. The 
Ottawa County Sherriff was given the remains of one individual who 
brought them to GVSUAL to determine if they were Native American. 
Subsequently, two burial pits were identified by the operator, and Drs. 
Kimmarie Murphy, Bruce Hardy and Janet Brashler excavated the remains. 
In the spring, a fourth burial pit with a single individual was located 
and excavated from the planned septic field for the residence. The 
remains include four discrete burials in pit features excavated into a 
previously occupied Late Woodland archeological site dating to the 12th 
century based on a radiocarbon date from the site. Burial 1 was a young 
adult female. Burial 2 (young adult male) was disturbed by equipment. 
Burial 3 was a young adult female. Burial 4 was an adult female between 
25 and 40. The date and time for the human remains is established based 
on a series of radiocarbon dates from associated materials and from the 
presence of European brass associated with Burials 1 and 2. Radiocarbon 
dates suggest a date between A.D. 1590 and 1620, an early date for 
European brass in the Great Lakes. No known individuals were 
identified. Eight associated funerary objects include: From Burial 1, 
two notched brass armbands, one woven textile wrap, and one rabbit skin 
wrap preserved by copper salts; from Burial 2, one brass tube with 
woven plant fibers; from Burial 3, one Late Prehistoric/Protohistoric 
triangular projectile point; and from Burial 4, two bone tubes, one 
with a polished end.
    On an unknown date, human remains representing, at minimum, two 
individuals were removed from an unknown location, presumably in 
Michigan. The human remains are two adults of undetermined sex and were 
recovered from a box with the label ``Bone Museum'' in the GVSUAL 
faunal comparative collection. There is no documentation for this 
collection. No date or time period for the human remains could be 
established. No known individuals were identified. No associated 
funerary objects are present.
    On an unknown date, human remains representing, at minimum, one 
individual was removed from the Pretty Lake Site at an unknown location 
in Mecosta County, MI. The remains of one adult of undetermined sex 
were discovered in the GVSUAL in a box labeled the Pretty Lake Site. No 
documentation for these remains exists in the GVSUAL. No date and time 
period for the human remains could be established. No known individuals 
were identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
    In summer of 1969 and in June 2010, human remains representing, at 
minimum, one individual were removed from the Blendon Landing site 
(20OT73) in Ottawa County, MI. The remains were recovered as part of 
archeological field schools conducted by GVSU directed by Richard 
Flanders in 1969 and Janet Brashler in 2010. Included in the remains 
are a single proximal femur of a probable young adult male and a single 
adult molar tooth with a partial 5th cusp, suggesting possible European 
origin. Both remains were recovered during excavations of a 19th 
century historic Euro-American logging camp. However, a small amount of 
pre-Columbian contact material has been recovered from the site. The 
date and

[[Page 6108]]

time period for the human remains could not be established. No known 
individuals were identified. No associated funerary objects are 
present.
    On July 19, 2008, human remains, representing at minimum, one 
individual were removed from a residence in Blendon Township, Ottawa 
County, MI. On July 31, 2008, Ottawa County Sherriff officers Kik, 
Garvelink, and Blakely transferred the remains to the GVSUAL. The 
remains are an adult female, 35-55 years old. Presence of wormian bones 
in sagittal suture suggests possible European or shared European 
ancestry. No other ethnic markers present. Sheriff's office provided no 
information on how the remains came to be in a private residence. No 
date or time period could be established. No known individuals were 
identified. No associated funerary objects are present.
    On an unknown date(s) between 1970 and 1990, and during June 2010, 
human remains representing, at minimum, one individual were removed 
from the Sand Creek Site (20OT66) in Ottawa County, MI. The remains are 
one adult of undetermined sex and were recovered during surface 
collection and excavations conducted by GVSU in the 1970s and again 
during June 2010. The date and time period for the remains is unknown 
because the site is multi-component dating from the Archaic and 
Woodland periods (3000 B.C.--A.D. 1640) and from the historic period 
(19th century) when an Ottawa village was located in the vicinity. No 
known individuals were identified. No associated funerary objects are 
present.

Determinations Made by Grand Valley State University

    Officials of Grand Valley State University have determined that:
    <bullet> Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(9), the human remains described 
in this notice are Native American based on cranial morphology, dental 
traits, accession documentation, and archeological context.
    <bullet> Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(9), the human remains described 
in this notice represent the physical remains of 111 individuals of 
Native American ancestry.
    <bullet> Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(A), the 1,473 objects 
described in this notice 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.
    <bullet> Pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(2), a relationship of shared 
group identity cannot be reasonably traced between the Native American 
human remains and associated funerary objects and any present-day 
Indian tribe.
    <bullet> According to final judgments of the Indian Claims 
Commission or the Court of Federal Claims, the land from which the 
Native American human remains and associated funerary objects were 
removed is the aboriginal land of The Tribes.
    <bullet> Treaties, Acts of Congress, or Executive Orders, indicate 
that the land from which the Native American human remains and 
associated funerary objects were removed is the aboriginal land of The 
Tribes.
    <bullet> Pursuant to 43 CFR 10.11(c)(1), the disposition of the 
human remains and associated funerary objects may be to The Tribes.

Additional Requestors and Disposition

    Representatives of any Indian tribe or Native Hawaiian organization 
not identified in this notice that wish to request transfer of control 
of these human remains and associated funerary objects should submit a 
written request with information in support of the request to Dr. Janet 
Brashler, Professor and Curator of Anthropology, Grand Valley State 
University, 1 Campus Drive, Allendale, MI 49401, telephone (616) 331-
3694, email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#bbd9c9dac8d3d7ded1fbdccdc8ce95dedfce"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="8defffecfee5e1e8e7cdeafbfef8a3e8e9f8">[email protected]</span></a>, by March 6, 2015. After that date, if no 
additional requestors have come forward, transfer of control of the 
human remains and associated funerary objects to The Tribes may 
proceed.
    Grand Valley State University is responsible for notifying The 
Tribes that this notice has been published.

    Dated: January 14, 2015.
Melanie O'Brien,
Acting Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2015-02264 Filed 2-3-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-50-P


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