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###### Department of the Interior

###### National Park Service

          - [NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0039178; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]

# AGENCY:

National Park Service, Interior.

# ACTION:

Notice.

# SUMMARY:

In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the Western Washington University, Department of Anthropology (WWU), intends to repatriate certain cultural items that meet the definition of objects of cultural patrimony and that have a cultural affiliation with the Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations in this notice.

# DATES:

Repatriation of the cultural items in this notice may occur on or after January 13, 2025.

# ADDRESSES:

                        Dr. Judith Pine, Western Washington University, Department of Anthropology, Arntzen Hall 340, 516 High Street, Bellingham, WA 98225, telephone (360) 650-4783, email                         *pinej@wwu.edu.*

# 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 two cultural items have been requested for repatriation. The two objects of cultural patrimony are a shell bead and a red ochre sample.

In the summers of 1999 and 2000, Drs. Campbell and Koetje of Western Washington University led field schools as part of a multi-year “Whidbey Island Prehistory Project”. 45-SK-46, the Lighthouse Point Midden, and 45-SK-144 were two of the sites investigated during this project. The field school participants excavated six 1 x 1m units and fifteen shovel tests at 45-SK-46 during the 2000 field season. This site was chosen for investigation because it was a small, shallow shell midden, subject to trail and bank erosion, and they were focusing on smaller sites most in need of documentation (WWU Field School Permit Application, 2000).

45-SK-144 is located to the north of 45-SK-46, on the east side of the tombolo that connects Lighthouse Point to the mainland, separating Lottie and Bowman Bays. Seven 1 x 1m units were excavated at this site during the 1999 field season (Anderson, 2001 “Sediment Analysis of Two Archaeological Sites in the Deception Pass Area, Fidalgo Island, Washington: A Geoarchaeological Approach”).

No hazardous chemicals are known to have been used to treat the items while in the custody of WWU.

## Determinations

The WWU has determined that:
    - The two objects of cultural patrimony described in this notice have 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 items 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 January 13, 2025. 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                           ( print page 100524)                        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: December 4, 2024.

Melanie O'Brien,

Manager, National NAGPRA Program. 

[FR Doc. 2024-29254 Filed 12-11-24; 8:45 am]

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