[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 73 (Wednesday, April 16, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18647-18648]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-9837]


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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 the National Park 
Service, Big Cypress National Preserve, Ochopee, FL

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), 25 U.S.C. 
3003 (d), of the completion of an inventory of human remains and 
associated funerary objects in the possession of the National Park 
Service, Big Cypress National Preserve, Ochopee, FL.
    A detailed assessment of the human remains and associated funerary 
objects was made by National Park Service professional staff in 
consultation with representatives of the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of 
Florida, Seminole Nation of Oklahoma, and Mr. Bobby C. Billie, a 
spiritual leader of the Independent Traditional Seminole Nation of 
Florida, a non-federally recognized Indian group. Good faith efforts to 
consult with representatives of the Seminole Tribe of Florida have been 
unsuccessful.
    In 1977, human remains representing a minimum of one individual 
were collected from Turner River #5, a burial island site located 
within park boundaries. No known individuals were identified. One 
fragment of glazed earthenware and one blue glass bead were recovered 
in association with the remains. One the basis of these funerary 
objects and the state of preservation of the human remains, the site is 
dated to ca. 1840 AD at the earliest.
    On February 28, 1996, a Federal Register notice was published 
regarding the completion of Big Cypress National Preserve's inventory. 
The Turner River #5 site was identified by Miccosukee representatives 
as being occupied by Seminole people during the middle to the last half 
of the 19th century. Information brought to the park's attention by Mr. 
Bobby C. Billie shows that the Turner River #5 site was occupied and 
utilized by his ancestors, Ingraham and Josie Billie, during the same 
time period. Documents from representatives of the Miccosukee Tribe of 
Indians of Florida support this claim.
    Based on the above-mentioned information, officials of the National 
Park Service have determined that, pursuant to 43 CFR 10.2(d)(1), the 
human remains listed above represent

[[Page 18648]]

the physical remains of at least one individual of Native American 
ancestry. Officials of the national Park Service have also determined 
that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(A), the two 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 National Park Service have also 
determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3005(a)(5)(A) Mr. Billie can 
trace his ancestry directly and without interruption by means of the 
traditional kinship system of the Independent Seminole Nation of 
Florida to the individual whose remains and funerary objects are being 
claimed.
    This notice has been sent to Mr.. Bobby C. Billie, the Miccosukee 
Tribe of Indians of Florida, the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma, and the 
Seminole Tribe of Florida. Representatives of any other Indian tribe 
that believes itself to be culturally affiliated with these human 
remains and associated funerary objects should contact Wallace Hibbard, 
Superintendent, Big Cypress National Preserve, HCR 61, Box 110, 
Ochopee, FL 34141; telephone: (941) 695-2000 ext. 10, before May 16, 
1997. Repatriation of the human remains and associated funerary objects 
to Mr. Bobby C. Billie may begin after that date if no additional 
claimants come forward.

    Dated: April 3, 1997.
Muriel Crespi,
Acting Departmental Consulting Archaeologist, Archeology and 
Ethnography Program.
[FR Doc. 97-9837 Filed 4-15-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-F